John Giheno
John Giheno (1949 – 20 March 2017) was a Papua New Guinea politician and government minister.[1] Giheno served as acting Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea from March 27, 1997, until June 2, 1997, following the resignation of then Prime Minister Julius Chan.[2]
John Giheno | |
|---|---|
| 5th Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea | |
| In office 27 March 1997 – 2 June 1997 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor-General | Wiwa Korowi |
| Preceded by | Julius Chan |
| Succeeded by | Julius Chan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1949 |
| Died | 20 March 2017 (aged 67–68) |
| Political party | People's Progress Party |
| Spouse(s) | Julie Giheno |
Prime Minister Julius Chan resigned on March 27, 1997, following a scandal regarding the hiring of foreign mercenaries to fight rebels on the island of Bougainville.[2] The use of mercenaries by the Chan government resulted in a Papua New Guinea Defence Force mutiny codenamed 'Operasen Rausim Kwik' and riots in Bougainville.[2] Chan stated that he resigned to preserve peace in Papua New Guinea.[2]
The Cabinet chose John Giheno, who was serving as the mining and petroleum Minister at the time, as acting Prime Minister until new elections could be held.[2][3] Giheno served as Prime Minister as a caretaker until new elections could be held in June 1997.[3] Sixteen government ministers in the Chan government, including both Giheno and Chan, lost their seats in Parliament in the June 1997 general elections.
References
- "Former MP John Giheno passes on, son pays tribute". The National (Papua New Guinea). 27 March 2017. Archived from the original on 27 March 2017.
- "Premier Named in Papua New Guinea". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. 1997-03-28. Retrieved 2010-12-30.
- "Papua New Guinea - Politics". Commonwealth Secretariat. Archived from the original on 2010-12-29. Retrieved 2010-12-30.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Julius Chan |
Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea 1997 |
Succeeded by Julius Chan |