Page 6 - Islands Business October 2024 edition

Briefs Briefs

of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) to seek forgiveness from anyone
American Samoa they felt had been wronged. In a talanoa to discuss the
American Samoan fisheries officials are concerned the 2000 coup and mutiny, Kalouniwai told soldiers and former
territory has not been included in NOAA’s “Fisheries of members of the Counter Revolutionary Warfare (CRW) that
the United States” Annual Report. Director of Marine grievances had lingered for almost 25 years, but that there
Wildlife Resources Taotasi Archie Soliai says it points to “a was now an opportunity for dialogue and reconciliation.
longstanding pattern of marginalisation for our community.” The RFMF said the day “marked an emotional step toward
He says given Pago Pago has historically ranked highly in both restoration of the camaraderie and brotherhood that once
landings and value, and previously hosted canneries, the defined the RFMF.”
oversight is questionable.

French Polynesia
Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands French Polynesian President Moetai Brotherson, has urged the
Retirees in CNMI face demands to repay tens of thousands United Nations to facilitate negotiations with France for the
of dollars due to a 2003 law that excluded overtime from territory’s decolonisation during his recent address to the UN
retirement benefits. However, the CNMI Retirees Association Decolonisation Committee. He stressed the need for a clear
argues that the Settlement Fund is unfairly retroactively roadmap and timeline for the process, highlighting France’s
enforcing this law on people who retired before 2003. historical reluctance to engage in meaningful dialogue.
RNZ reports that retirees have raised their concerns with Civil society leaders have also demanded accountability for
legislators and through legal channels. France’s nuclear legacy and advocated for the rights of the
indigenous population.

Cook Islands
There is opposition locally to Cook Islands moves to enact Guam
seabed minerals harvesting regulations. While the Cook The US Coast Guard will double its cutter ships in Guam from
Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) says the regulations three to six, as announced by Vice Admiral Andrew J. Tiongson
are a crucial step in establishing a comprehensive legal recently. The expansion is part of the Coast Guard’s efforts to
framework, providing all stakeholders with clarity and enhance its presence in the Indo-Pacific region amid ongoing
certainty regarding the country’s legal regime for seabed military developments. While Tiongson did not provide
minerals governance, the director of environment group Te specifics on the arrival of the new cutters or additional
Ipukarea Society, says there were no real consultations, and personnel, he emphasised the Coast Guard’s advisory role in
that none of the substantive submissions they made had been supporting the operations.
incorporated into the final regulations.

Kiribati
Federated States of Micronesia Kiribati ‘s Taneti Maamau has been elected for a third term
The Yap Historic Preservation Office has completed two in the run off for the Presidency. Maamau won 55% of votes
significant cultural preservation projects in Maap as part of cast. His opponent Kaotitaake Kokoria polled 45%. Maamau’s
the ongoing efforts to preserve Yap’s cultural heritage. In Tobwaan Kiribati Party is expected to grow its parliamentary
Amin, a stone path restoration project was completed by the majority. August’s national election saw 14 sitting members
community, revitalising an important cultural and historical lose their seats.
pathway. In Toruw, the project involved carving the chugin
display, a traditional cultural artifact, which local artisan
Edmond Pasan skillfully created, reported the Yap State
Department of Youth and Civic Affairs. Marshall Islands
President Hilda Heine stated that the Marshall Islands’
election to the United Nations Human Rights Committee
Fiji provides an opportunity to address key issues for Pacific Island
Fiji’s military commander Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai nations, such as nuclear justice and climate change. She
has encouraged current and former members of the Republic says the election is a significant achievement for small states
committed to human rights.

6 Islands Business, October 2024