Sam Abal

Samuel Tei Abal (born 26 June 1958) is a Papua New Guinean politician. Abal, who previously served as Foreign Minister from August 2007 to December 2010, became the Deputy Prime Minister of the country in a cabinet reshuffle by Michael Somare on 7 December 2010. He further became acting Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea on 13 December 2010, when Prime Minister Somare stepped down from office to face a tribunal regarding allegations of financial mismanagement. His tenure as acting Prime Minister ended on 2 August 2011, when Peter O'Neill won a parliamentary vote to be appointed as Prime Minister. Since October 2021, he is the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Papua New Guinea to Japan.

Biography

Personal life Abal is the son of Sir Tei Abal, who is considered one of the founding fathers of Papua New Guinea.

Political career Abal was a member of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea representing the Wabag Electorate in Enga Province. A rift had formed between Somare and Polye stemming from an unsuccessful motion of no confidence against Somare in mid-2010, which was believed to be partially spearheaded by Polye. Abal was sworn into office the same day and served as the acting Prime Minister during Somare's tribunal and short suspension. Somare remained in hospital in Singapore in intensive care until his retirement from office in late June 2011.

As of 28 June 2011, it was unclear whether Abal would become the full-time Prime Minister following Somare's retirement from politics for health reasons.