Leader of the Opposition, Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau, has expressed appreciation for the support from private citizens who have come forward to help with legal expenses as the Opposition gears up to take legal action regarding the Government’s persistent refusal to disclose the Commission of Inquiry (COI) report related to the Citizenship Commission and its operations.
The Port Vila Member of Parliament highlighted the growing public unease surrounding the lack of transparency, emphasizing that calls for the report’s release have been made consistently since last year. Kalsakau asserted that the situation has escalated to a point where it is essential to seek intervention from the court to gain clarity and accountability over the issue.
“The report was financed by taxpayers’ money, and the public deserves to know its contents,” Kalsakau stated. He dismissed concerns regarding potential naming of Opposition members in the report, arguing that the public’s right to access information funded by public resources should take precedence.
Kalsakau referenced Order 72 of 2024, which places the onus on the Council of Ministers to ensure proper disclosure of the report. He commended the citizens stepping forward to cover potential legal fees, underscoring their desire for transparency and accountability in governance.
The Opposition has filed a formal 14-day notice, in accordance with governmental legal requirements, as a precursor to initiating court proceedings against a governmental minister or department. This notice was confirmed on Monday and is effective as of January 23, 2026, notifying the Minister of Justice and the Office of the Attorney General.
The objective of the Opposition is to obtain a ruling from the Supreme Court regarding the release of the COI report. “If we are mistaken, the court will inform us. If we are correct, then the public will at last have access to the information it deserves. The Supreme Court is indeed the suitable venue for this resolution,” Kalsakau remarked.
Additionally, he raised alarms about potential conflicts of interest given the political ties between Minister of Justice Job Sam Andy and Prime Minister Jotham Napat, who belong to the same political party. He emphasized that a court trial would help alleviate any doubts regarding political influence over decisions.
“The intention is not to target specific individuals. It’s about ensuring fairness and objectivity,” he reaffirmed. Kalsakau stressed the significance of the COI, particularly in relation to concerns over the review of citizenship grants. Reported issues include citizenship being misused to obtain diplomatic passports, which have raised eyebrows internationally, with parties like the European Union and the United States expressing concerns about individuals with criminal histories who gained Vanuatu citizenship.
He confirmed that inquiries with international partners had revealed that some citizens awarded Vanuatu nationality had criminal backgrounds. “This underscores why the report is crucial. It could inform necessary reforms and prevent the potential misuse of citizenship and diplomatic actions,” Kalsakau noted.
Furthermore, he suggested that if sections of the report contain sensitive information, redactions could be made to enable the release of the remaining content. He reiterated that the Ministry of Justice, as the sponsoring agency, has the duty to present the report to the Council of Ministers and ensure it is officially published.
Kalsakau concluded that the Opposition is currently consulting with its legal representatives regarding the subsequent steps and remains steadfast in its commitment to advance this issue through judicial channels. The collective effort reflects a hopeful pursuit for transparency and a stronger accountability framework within the government.
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