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
Samoa political saga: Challenge to party removal reported
Samoa’s prime minister and the five other ousted members of the ruling FAST Party are reportedly challenging their removal. FAST chairman La’auli Leuatea Schmidt on Wednesday announced the removal of the
Indo-Pacific Trumps Blue Pacific
On 20 January, US President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn into office. The US Republican leader has pledged engagement with island states, particularly in the northern Pacific. But at a time of heightened US-China
Solomon Islands PM Manele to face no confidence vote next Monday
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele is set to face a vote of no confidence in Parliament next Monday, December 16th, Clerk to the National Parliament, Jefferson Hallu has confirmed to SIBC news. Hallu said
Lilo moves to dethrone Solomon Islands PM Manele with no-confidence vote
After weeks of speculation, it’s now confirmed that Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele will face a no-confidence vote in the current sitting of parliament. Notice of the motion, which will be moved by
Tuilaepa will contest in 2026 election
In a resolute display of political longevity, veteran parliamentarian and Leader of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi made it clear that retirement is not on the horizon. At
Music and politics: A Pacific story of power and passion
Since the dawn of time, music and politics have long held many things in common. Both rely on harmony and disharmony to create tension. In music, tension creates an atmosphere that yearns for resolution. And when the
Snap election looms in Vanuatu
The president of Vanuatu has dissolved parliament, triggering a snap-election, for the second time in two years. RNZ reports that Nikenike Vurobaravu’s decision comes on the eve of a motion of no-confidence from
New Caledonia’s constitutional reform will not go ahead: French PM
New Caledonia's controversial constitutional reform will not go ahead, French Prime Minister Michel Barnier
‘To the backbenchers’: Party tells Minister Prasad
Fiji Labour Party is now calling on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad to move to the