Francesca Semoso

Francesca Rhianna Semoso is a Bougainvillean broadcaster and politician who has been a member of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea from North Bougainville District as a member of Pangu Pati since 2023. She was a member of the Bougainville House of Representatives from 2005 to 2010, and 2015 to 2020.

Francesca Semoso
Semoso in 2016
Member of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea
Incumbent
Assumed office October 30, 2023
Preceded by	William Nakin
Constituency	North Bougainville Open
Personal details
Political party	Pangu Pati
Education	University of Papua New Guinea

Early life and education

Francesca Rhianna Semoso was born to Carmela Gegei Semoso. Francesca's sister Fidelis Semoso was elected to the Bougainville House of Representatives.^[1] Francesca Rhianna Semoso was educated at Malasang Primary, Passam National High School, and the University of Papua New Guinea.^[2]

Career

Semoso worked for the National Broadcasting Corporation of Papua New Guinea for ten years and then the UMI FM radio station.^[3]

In the 2005 election Semoso was elected to the Bougainville House of Representatives from the North Bougainville District seat reserved for women. She returned to the after winning in the 2015 election.^[4]

William Nakin, a member of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea, died in office and Semoso was elected in a 2023 by-election to fill his seat.^[5] She was Bougainville and Pangu Pati's first female member of parliament.^[6] On 3 December 2024, she was appointed as assistant speaker, the first woman to hold that role.^[7][8] On 13 March 2025, she became the first woman to preside over a session of parliament.^[9] During her tenure she served as a member of the Communication, Privileges and Bi-partisan committee.^[2]

Political positions

Semoso supports the Autonomous Region of Bougainville gaining independence from Papua New Guinea.^[5]