Papua New Guinea Parliament Honours Late Daulo MP Ekime Gorosahu Following Illness

<p>Parliamentarians in Papua New Guinea have gathered to pay their final respects to Ekime Mek Gorosahu, the Member of Parliament for the Daulo Open electorate, who died earlier this month following a period of illness. The first-term lawmaker's body was escorted by police to the National Parliament chamber in Port Moresby for a solemn lying-in-state ceremony, allowing colleagues across the political divide to honour his brief but dedicated service.</p>

<p>Gorosahu, who was elected in the 2022 national general election representing the United Resources Party (URP), passed away on the morning of October 1, 2026, while undergoing treatment at the Pacific International Hospital in the capital. His death marks a grim milestone for the country's legislature, making him the eleventh serving member to die in office during the term of the eleventh Parliament.</p>

<h2>Tributes from the United Resources Party</h2>

<p>The leadership of the United Resources Party has expressed profound sorrow at the loss of a key parliamentary member. William Duma, the Minister for State Enterprises and the parliamentary leader of the URP, formally announced the passing and paid tribute to Gorosahu's loyalty and resilience. Duma described the late MP as a dedicated public servant who worked with unwavering diligence for his constituents in the Eastern Highlands Province until his health deteriorated.</p>

<p>“He worked with unwavering diligence and commitment to his constituents and to our nation right up until his health prevented him from doing so,” Duma stated. The minister emphasised that Gorosahu's contributions to the party and his steadfast support as a coalition partner in the government had been invaluable. The URP has coordinated closely with the late MP's family to manage the mourning processes, while Duma urged the public to respect the family's privacy during the difficult period.</p>

<p>The loss of Gorosahu further diminishes the URP's parliamentary caucus, which was previously impacted by the death of the Wewak MP, Kevin Isifu. The party now holds ten seats in the legislature, though it remains an integral component of the ruling coalition.</p>

<h2>Bipartisan Condolences in the Chamber</h2>

<p>During the special parliamentary sitting, leaders from both the government and the opposition offered their condolences. Prime Minister James Marape, who leads the Pangu Pati, commended Gorosahu for his courage and determination. Marape noted that despite battling illness, the Daulo MP remained committed to his legislative duties and the welfare of his electorate.</p>

<p>From the opposition benches, James Nomane, the Member for Chuave and the Opposition Leader, rose to extend heartfelt sympathies on behalf of his constituents in neighbouring Simbu Province. Nomane highlighted the close regional ties between the electorates and the shared developmental challenges they face. The bipartisan nature of the tributes underscored the respect Gorosahu had garnered during his relatively short tenure in national politics.</p>

<h2>Representation of the Eastern Highlands</h2>

<p>Ekime Gorosahu hailed from Asaroka, an area situated on the border of the Daulo and Goroka districts in the Eastern Highlands Province. His election in 2022 brought fresh representation to a constituency that faces significant infrastructure and economic development needs. As a first-time parliamentarian, he was tasked with navigating the complex resource allocations of the national budget to deliver services to rural and remote highland communities.</p>

<p>Following his death, his body was initially moved to his residence at Graceville before being transferred to a funeral home, accompanied by an ambulance and a convoy of vehicles. His executive officer, Eron Hagan, confirmed the sequence of events and the logistical arrangements surrounding the repatriation and burial processes.</p>

<h2>A Legislature Marked by Attrition</h2>

<p>The death of the Daulo MP has renewed public attention on the health and wellbeing of the country's political leaders. The eleventh Parliament has experienced an unusually high mortality rate, with eleven lawmakers passing away since the 2022 elections. This trend has necessitated multiple by-elections across various provinces, demanding additional resources from the Electoral Commission and temporarily leaving several districts without direct representation in the capital.</p>

<table> <caption>Recent Parliamentary Vacancies in Papua New Guinea</caption> <thead> <tr> <th scope="col">Member of Parliament</th> <th scope="col">Electorate</th> <th scope="col">Political Party</th> <th scope="col">Status</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td>Ekime Mek Gorosahu</td> <td>Daulo Open (Eastern Highlands)</td> <td>United Resources Party</td> <td>Passed away October 2026</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Kevin Isifu</td> <td>Wewak Open (East Sepik)</td> <td>United Resources Party</td> <td>Passed away previously</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

<p>The recurrent vacancies disrupt local governance and stall district development authority (DDA) programs, as the elected MP traditionally chairs the DDA and oversees the disbursement of constituency development funds. For the people of Daulo, the immediate future involves a period of mourning, followed by the constitutional requirement to elect a new representative to serve the remainder of the parliamentary term.</p>

<p>In the interim, administrative officials and provincial authorities will be required to maintain essential services and manage ongoing infrastructure projects in the district. The tributes delivered in the National Parliament serve as a final official acknowledgement of Gorosahu's efforts to elevate the concerns of his highland constituency to the national stage.</p>