Ex-Nauru president Sprent Dabwido who oversaw detention centre reopening dies

Former Nauruan president Sprent Dabwido has died in Australia, where was being treated for cancer.

Mr Dabwido was instrumental in overseeing the reopening of Nauru's detention facilities while president in 2012, before he lost power in 2014.

His death at the age of 46 comes after a battle with nasopharyngeal cancer, which he was diagnosed with in April 2018.

In a statement released today confirming his death, fellow Nauru 19 member and politician Mathew Batsiua expressed his sadness at the news of the death.

"I can say Sprent died the way he lived," he said.

"He was brave, outspoken and always kept his sense of humour, even in the worst times. He also died happy, surrounded by people who loved him.

Mr Dabwido fled to Australia earlier this year and begged the Australian Government for political asylum as he sought medical treatment which he insists his own government has gone out of its way to deny him.

Prior to his death, he was fighting a legal battle in Nauru which was before the court of appeal in the long-running Nauru 19 case.

Mr Batsiua accused the current Nauruan Government of contributing to Mr Dabwido's death.

"Today, the Government and the MPs who have supported them have the blood of a former president on their hands," he said in the statement.

He also expressed his disappointment at being refused a passport to travel to visit Mr Dabwido while he was being treated.

"The Nauru Government refused us passports despite a request from myself and others to visit Sprent before his death.

"The Government prohibited us from attending a recent commitment ceremony with his partner Luci in Sydney, but we stayed in contact through the phone and social media."

The ABC has sought comment from the Government of Nauru.

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