Minister’s New Caledonia tour leaves unanswered questions
WHEN France’s new Overseas Minister Naïma Moutchou toured New Caledonia last week, New Caledonians hoped that her visit would end uncertainty over political and economic reforms. Instead, Moutchou flew back to Paris
Manoeuvring in Paris delays decision on New Caledonia elections
Legislation to defer New Caledonia’s provincial elections has been delayed until next week, as parliamentary manoeuvring in Paris highlights divisions over the Bougival Accord, a proposal for a new political statute
Former Fiji PM escapes jail time
FORMER Fijian military strongman Frank Bainimarama escaped jail time today after a second corruption
Adeang back as Nauru president
DAVID Adeang will serve another term as Nauru’s president after he was elected unopposed early this week. Adeang was re-elected from Ubenide Constituency with parliamentarians Reagan Aliklik, Russ Kun, and Ranin
FAST triumphs without Iron Lady
SAMOA’S August election has resulted in an emphatic victory for the Fa’atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party. With 30 of the 51 seats, FAST has a comfortable
Falaeo champions inclusive democracy
TO reshape New Caledonia’s political landscape, Veylma Falaeo, President of the Congress of New Caledonia, is advancing a bold agenda centered on participatory democracy, government accountability, and
Movers and Shakers
DR Malouamaua Tu’ualofaifo has been appointed Acting CEO of the American Samoa Medical Center (LBJ Tropical Medical Center) through a recess appointment by Governor Lemanu P. S.
Collapse of French Government to impact Forum debate on New Caledonia
AS President of New Caledonia Alcide Ponga attends his first Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in Honiara this week, the French government in Paris has
Samoa village bans political rallies
POLITICAL rallies have been banned in Falelatai Village, seat of Samoan head of state, Tuimalealiifano Va’aleto’a Sualauvi
Personalities kill island dream
ON a small island, strong personalities can kill national efforts in the blink of an eye. As Tonga prepares to host the Pacific Games, personal agendas have started to surface, threatening to stop the event from taking
The church in politics
THE Pacific is often caught between two global powers: China and the United States–Australia alliance.
Death threats for Kanaky politicians
Kanaky (New Caledonian) politicians who signed a deal with France on July 12 will receive police protection due to threats, mainly
Devil in the detail of New Caledonia’s “historic” agreement
Meeting in France, New Caledonian political leaders have signed an agreement on the political and economic future of the French Pacific
Race against time: Budget loss forces snap poll
Samoa will head to the polls on August 29, and the Office of the Electoral Commissioner (OEC) must race against time to deliver a credible, inclusive election. The Polynesian nation is at an interesting point, with the
Solomon Islands PM Manele appeals for calm and reassures nation amid political instability
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has appealed to all citizens of Solomon Islands—particularly residents of Honiara—to remain calm, peaceful, and respectful of the democratic process amid the current
Sogavare joins Opposition as new majority forms ahead of no-confidence vote
Following the mass resignation led by Finance Minister Manasseh Sogavare and several senior ministers on Monday, a new political alignment appears to be taking shape in the Solomon Islands
New Caledonia talks to resume this month, but differences remain
New Caledonian political leaders and the French government are scheduled to resume political status talks on 29 April, when France’s Overseas Minister Manuel Valls returns to Noumea. For Valls, “the objective of
Littleproud says Coalition government would urge Pacific to be ‘more aggressive’ on China
David Littleproud urges Pacific pressure on China, sparking Labor criticism of Coalition's climate
No deal for New Caledonia, talks to continue later this month
After four days of continuous talks with New Caledonia’s political forces, French Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls has returned to Paris Tuesday, without any deal as yet regarding the French Pacific
Steps forward in New Caledonia political talks
For the first time since 2019, there have been tripartite talks on the political status of New Caledonia, during an eight-day visit by France’s Overseas Minister Manuel Valls. After six months of conflict that began
French Overseas Minister Manuel Valls to visit Nouméa for key political talks
French Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls has announced he will travel to New Caledonia on 22 February to pursue talks on the French territory’s political future. This comes following preliminary talks held last
An uneasy crown: King Tupou VI seeks greater role
For 15 years, the Kingdom of Tonga has gone through a political experiment that was supposed to make the governance system “more democratic”. This was the declared will of the former Monarch, King George Tupou V,
Vanuatu: public frustrated over political situation as after-shocks continue
Frustration is growing in Vanuatu over the snap election, with claims the government has put politics before people. Radio New Zealand reports that ballot boxes are still arriving in Port Vila and official counting is