Taiwan congratulates Hilda Heine as RMI new President

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has extended Taipei’s congratulations to new Marshall Islands’ President, Hilda Heine. Heine assumed the presidency following a vote among newly sworn-in legislators

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Nauru cuts ties with Taiwan in favour of China

The Government of Nauru has switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China. In a statement yesterday, the government announced its allegiance to the “One-China Principle, which recognises the People’s

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Opinion: One year down, a mixed bag of results for Fiji’s coalition

When Sitiveni Rabuka narrowly won the parliamentary vote to become Fiji Prime Minister a year ago on Christmas Eve 2022, his position looked extremely precarious. With only a one-seat majority, the new coalition

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National Referendum in six months: Vanuatu PM

Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai announced in Parliament Tuesday that a national referendum is expected to happen within the next six months.   This announcement followed the unanimous approval of the

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Sir Collin Tukuitonga resigns from NZ government roles, citing ‘no confidence’

One of New Zealand’s most prominent Pacific health leaders says he has “no confidence” in the Government after stepping down from almost every advisory role. Long-standing champion for health Sir Collin Tukuitonga

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Opinion: Basic but essential: Vanuatu’s proposed political integrity legislation

Vanuatu has had three different prime ministers since 4 September, and weathered several court challenges as politicians and parties battled for parliamentary supremacy. Vanuatu’s citizens have expressed their

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House welcomes first Bougainville woman MP

The people of Bougainville have set a record when they for the first time in the 48 years’ political history of this country voted a women leader to the National Parliament, newly elected Member for North Bougainville

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1,816 sign petition as effort to end Vanuatu political instability

Over 1,816 citizens representing different sectors and voices, going under the Movement Red, have signed a petition urging parliamentarians to urgently discuss and pass Bills addressing political integrity.  164 people

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Apia hosts signing of new EU-ACP Samoa Agreement

More than two decades ago, the European Union and a group of African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states were due to meet in Suva, to sign a new partnership agreement. But the ceremony, scheduled for June 2000, never

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Whose rule is it?

One month short of its first anniversary, Fiji’s three-party governing coalition is in disarray. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has topped off a series of bungled appointments by recanting on a major Cabinet reshuffle

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Democracy. Abort. Repeat

“Democracy Reimagined.” On paper, an ambitious title that captures the next step in the journey of a nation that’s fresh out of the shadow of a 16-year, one and then two-man rule, led on this new path by the very

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Vanuatu elects Sato Kilman as prime minister, names new Cabinet

Vanuatu’s parliament elected Sato Kilman as the nation’s new prime minister Monday after a court upheld a vote of no-confidence in the nation’s former leader and amid China-U.S. rivalry in Pacific Islands.

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Vanuatu’s opposition plan fourth no confidence motion to oust government

Vanuatu’s opposition bloc is reportedly planning to file a fourth motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau as the country’s political crisis continues. Reliable sources close to

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Vanuatu speaker lodges court appeal amid political crisis

The speaker of Vanuatu’s parliament has appealed a court decision deeming a no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau successful, prolonging a political crisis in the Pacific island nation.

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Vanuatu Supreme Court rules in favour of opposition in Parliament majority case

The Supreme Court of Vanuatu ruled on Friday that Vanuatu’s opposition party won a no-confidence vote regarding incumbent Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau last week. While the speaker of Parliament initially ruled that

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Vanuatu Opposition demands new Speaker

A motion of no confidence was lodged and registered Friday by the Vanuatu Opposition bloc, moved by Johnny Koanapo, Member of Parliament for Tanna Constituency, and Malekula MP Gracia Shadrack, to remove the Speaker of

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Vanuatu PM Kalsakau survive no-confidence vote

Vanuatu narrowly avoided a political crisis as Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau survived a no-confidence vote in Parliament on Wednesday.  Vote of no confidence against PM Kalsakau was defeated as opposition failed to

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Aimeliik Legislature calls for investigation of Rengulbai for alleged misconduct in office

The 12th Aimeliik State Legislature passed a resolution requesting Aimeliik Governor Browny Simer to investigate allegations of misconduct in office made against Aimeliik State Public Land Authority (AIMSPLA) Chairman

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Petition for Tongan electoral reform

A petition calling for reform of Tonga’s electoral system so that the Prime Minister may be chosen by a popular vote (and not by the Members of Parliament in the House) has engaged the House this week. On Monday

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Vanuatu cabinet reshuffle

Vanuatu Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau has made a cabinet reshuffle. MP for Santo Rural Samson Samsen has been appointed new Minister for Trade. Matai Seremaiah is now Minister for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime

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Tuvalu foreign minister Kofe resigns from Cabinet

Tuvalu’s foreign Minister Simon Kofe has announced his resignation from the island nation’s Cabinet on Friday. “Friends, today in Parliament I made a significant announcement. I’ve decided to

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PNG MP Lohia Boe Samuel acquitted of murder

Moresby North West MP Lohia Boe Samuel has been found not guilty, and acquitted by the Waigani National Court in Papua New Guinea Wednesday. Samuel and his co-accused Fabian Hera, were both charged with willful murder,

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Samoa Supreme Court voids former PM Tuilaepa and Lealailepule suspension

The Samoa Supreme Court today ruled that the suspension of former Prime Minister the leader of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) Tuilaepa Sailele Malilegaoi and party secretary Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi for two

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What happened to me must never happen again: Forum SG Puna

In a frank admission on the circumstances which forced his exit from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, the Secretary General of the Forum Henry Puna has told a closed function hosted in Samoa that what took place

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