Regional crisis response activated
After something of a false start, Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders have now invoked the Biketawa Declaration. This activates a regional response to the energy crisis that is emerging across the region, which is a fallout of the war in Iran. Collective action is considered appropriate given the situation is expected to worsen. The details of how this will work in practical terms are to be determined by a task force established by the Council of Regional Agencies of the Pacific (CROP).
Manele ousted in Solomon Islands
A lengthy debate on a motion of no confidence followed by a vote saw Jeremiah Manele ousted as Prime Minister in Solomon Islands. The identity of the next PM will be known on May 15th, following a vote in Parliament. Three names have been put forward. On the (minority/caretaker) government side the nomination is Peter Shanel Agovaka (who spoke in favour of the motion of no confidence last week). There are two nominations from the opposition coalition – Matthew Wale and Manasseh Maelanga.
Diplomatic spat between Vanuatu and France
PM Jotham Napat of Vanuatu has criticised French Ambassador Jean-Baptiste Jeangène Vilmer for using social media to air his concerns rather than official government channels. There have been tense exchanges between Vanuatu and the Ambassador in relation to a trade meeting with the government of New Caledonia. Vilmer also criticised the Vanuatu Daily Post about its reporting on his position in relation to the contested status of the islands of Matthew and Hunter.
Media freedom concerns
Media freedom is again in the spotlight across the region. In Tonga, a journalist was allegedly threatened by a person carrying a firearm after publishing a story on the gang-related drugs trade in the country. Meanwhile a recently released global index on media freedom shows that Samoa’s rating has dramatically declined whilst Fiji’s score has improved. The survey by Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF) includes only four Pacific island nations.
About the author: Dr Tess Newton Cain is Principal Consultant at Sustineo. She is also a distinguished academic and researcher with over 25 years of unmatched experience in delivering exceptional policy, research, and analysis to drive strategic development across the Pacific islands region.
