Vanuatu has dumped its prime minister in a move that will shake up Pacific countries' relationships with Indonesia and West Papua.
Joe Natuman lost a no confidence motion in parliament on Thursday and has been replaced by the man he sacked as foreign minister Sato Kilman last week.
Three government MPs crossed the floor to vote with the opposition to overthrow the Natuman government.
The musical chairs is expected to potentially sway deliberations of the Melanesian Spearhead Group's leaders summit in the Solomon Islands starting June 18.
On the agenda the leaders will discuss whether to admit West Papua to the group with observer status.
Indonesia already has observer status and wants to be upgraded to an associate member.
Traditionally Vanuatu has been sympathetic to the plight the Indonesian territory's decades-long struggle for independence, along with Solomon Islands and the Kanak movement in New Caledonia.
Fiji and Papua New Guinea back Indonesia's position.
Mr Sato is likely to change Vanuatu's policy on the issue which will result in West Papua's rejection.
He's made pro-Indonesian comments in the past and suggested Vanuatu needs to increase trade with the Southeast Asian giant and open an embassy in Jakarta.
Indonesia wants to deny West Papua a platform for its independence campaign to receive further recognition.
* The reporter travelled to Indonesia as part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs journalists visits program 2015.
