FLNKS congress postponed, as independence movement debates the way forward
In a fast moving and complex situation, both supporters and opponents of independence in New Caledonia are preparing for the outcome of French elections later this month. Islands Business correspondent Nic Maclellan
Vanuatu voters support constitutional change to end political instability
Vanuatu has voted to change its constitution in a bid to end years of political instability, results of the Pacific nation’s first national referendum showed on Wednesday. A grassroots push to alter the
Nine dead since start of New Caledonia unrest
A man in his thirties who was shot amongst the New Caledonia rioting has died of his wounds. He was allegedly shot by a gendarme who responded after being targeted, according to initial investigations, the public
New Caledonia reels as President Macron dissolves French parliament
Despite weeks of rioting and clashes between police and protestors in New Caledonia, French authorities in Noumea decided to proceed with elections for the European Parliament on Sunday, a poll open to all French
A message to Macron: “You can’t negotiate with a gun to your head”
Political, church and community leaders from New Caledonia have called on French President Emmanuel Macron to fully withdraw a controversial constitutional amendment on voting rights – the trigger for recent riots and
Opinion: Increasing women’s political representation in Solomon Islands
On 29 December 2023, the Solomon Islands National Cabinet approved the introduction of temporary special measures (TSMs) to improve women’s political representation in the Provincial Government Assemblies (PGAs).
France lifts state of emergency in New Caledonia, maintains curfew
France on Tuesday lifted a state of emergency in its Pacific territory of New Caledonia but is maintaining a curfew and sending hundreds of paramilitary reinforcements after two weeks of unrest in which seven people
Christian Karembeu says family killed in New Caledonia violence
Former footballer Christian Karembeu shared that he has tragically lost two family members amid the recent surge of violence in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia. Amid contentious voting reforms, seven
Opinion: Manele’s leadership in Solomon Islands: opportunities and challenges
Solomon Islands’ new prime minister Jeremiah Manele brings a new leadership style to the position, compared to the abrasive approach of his predecessor, Manasseh Sogavare. However, policies are unlikely to change, and
PNG ruling Pangu party split, I will not resign says PM Marape
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has declared that he will not resign from his position despite the recent defection of Pangu Pati and Government MPs to the Opposition. In a statement he emphasised that any
Jo Nata’s journey from the dark
'We let the genie out of the bottle' Emerging out of 24 years in prison, Josefa Nata is now convinced that the George Speight-led takeover of Fiji’s Parliament in 2000 was not justified and that all it did was let the
Opening Fiji’s can of worms
Josefa Nata knows he’s expected to tell all, having featured prominently in the George Speight-led takeover of Fiji’s Parliament in 2000. In the long history of Fiji’s coups since 1987, this was not only the
Opinion: What’s wrong with Vanuatu’s proposed party laws?
Vanuatu is holding its first ever referendum on 29th May on two constitutional amendments designed to lessen instability on the floor of parliament. The first amendment (17A) intends to tie members of parliament (MPs)
Solomon Islands PM’s wife slams report on family properties as unethical journalism
The wife of the caretaker Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has described the In-depth Solomons article titled ‘Solomons PM Has Millions in Property, Raising Questions Around Wealth’ as a publication
Solomon Islands PM has millions in property, raising questions around wealth
The prime minister of Solomon Islands has recently gone on a home-building spree, constructing eight valuable new houses in and around the capital city of Honiara. KEY POINTS: Manasseh Sogavare, the four-time prime
Reports Tonga PM has resigned from Defence to ‘appease’ king says government source
The Tongan Independent has reported that Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni and Minister Utoikamanu of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had resigned from the portfolios. Senior sources within the Tongan
Nauruan president starts six-day China visit
Nauru President David Adeang arrived in Beijing on Sunday, embarking on a six-day state visit to China from Sunday to 29 March. It marks the first visit by a Nauruan president after the two countries resumed
Opinion: Tonga MP Piukaka’s rhetoric about the King hand picking Noble MPs is a serious threat to our half-cooked democracy
Member of Parliament Piveni Piukala’s proposal to revoke Tonga’s current nobility electoral system to allow the king to hand pick them for Parliament would be a fatal blow to Tonga’s fragile democracy. It flies in
Vanuatu referendum seeks to instill stability after revolving-door governments
An upcoming referendum in Vanuatu to outlaw political-party hopping by legislators has sparked lively debate in the Pacific island country, which has faced three changes of government in the past year. Dissatisfaction
Opinion: The politics of riots in Melanesia
The riots that erupted in the Papua New Guinea capital, Port Moresby, on January 10 have left a trail of destruction likely to have severe political ramifications. Such disturbances in Melanesia’s major cities are not
Opinion: The standoff between Tonga’s King and government
Tonga: Early last week, the Secretary of Tonga’s Privy Council wrote to the Chief Secretary (Secretary to Cabinet and to the Prime Minister), saying: “I have the honour to inform you that His Majesty in Council’s
Call for King to ‘urgently’ refine Tonga democracy
Tongan Democrats in New Zealand have called on the King to urgently refine what they describe as the country’s fragile democracy. They said the memorandum King Tupou VI sent withdrawing his consent to the appointment
PNG PM Marape addresses Opposition’s vote of no confidence motion with confidence
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister, James Marape has openly welcomed the Opposition’s motion for a vote-of-no-confidence against him. This announcement came after the Acting Speaker, Konie Iguan, briefed Parliament
