Seventh-day Adventist James Marape was elected Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea (PNG) on May 30.

The appointment comes after weeks of turmoil that rocked the PNG government and eventually led to the resignation of former PM Peter O’Neill.

Mr Marape, the country’s former finance minister, is the Member for the Tari Pori electorate in the Southern Highlands. He is an elder of Korobosea Seventh-day Adventist Church and attended Kabiufa Adventist Secondary School in the Eastern Highlands Province.

“The South Pacific Division congratulates the Honorable James Marape on becoming the eighth Papua New Guinean Prime Minister,” said Pastor Glenn Townend, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific.

“We pray that James will continue to receive guidance from God as he leads this significant country. His Seventh-day Adventist values and heritage will hold him in good standing.”