18 Jun 2018

President calls for Vanuatu Mobile Force to be separate from police

2:16 pm on 18 June 2018

Vanuatu's president has repeated his call for a law change to separate the country's small mobile para-military force, the Vanuatu Mobile Force, from the police.

Obed Moses Tallis made the call to amend the Police Act at the opening of parliament.

The Vanuatu Daily Post reports the president said it's important a proper security force was formed to strengthen the security of the country.

The police commissioner's background as either a police officer or Vanuatu Mobile Force officer had contributed to tension between the two forces in the past.

Mr Tallis wants the law changed to allow the Vanuatu Mobile Force to become full-time military soldiers.

Vanuatu president Tallis Obed Moses

Vanuatu president Tallis Obed Moses Photo: Dan McGarry