‘We will get it done’

Baron Waqa is determined that a high-level Pacific fact-finding mission to New Caledonia will go ahead despite plans by the local government to delay the visit.

While he is disappointed, Waqa, the Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), has expressed “great optimism” ahead of his first leaders’ meeting in Tonga this week.

The stage is set for the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Nuku'alofa. Photo/Joseph Safiti

“This is shaping up to be interesting and exciting. The church service this morning just lays the foundation for a successful week, a good start for the leaders' meeting.”

The former President of Nauru has been in the PIFS role for just over two months.

He said he was concerned about the ongoing crisis in New Caledonia, which has been gripped by civil unrest since May.

He has been critical of Paris’ response to the political crisis in New Caledonia, saying it risks fuelling more unrest by ramping up its security presence in the Pacific territory.

President Emmanuel Macron has sent some pro-independence activists, charged over the deadly riots, to jail in France.

Waqa emphasised on Sunday the important role the Forum played in regional issues such as the civil unrest in New Caledonia.

“A bit disappointing, but there is some misunderstanding in the arrangements. We would like to see that happen. I believe that PIF has a role in this, in settling this impasse. And yes, we will get it done.”

Sunday's prayer service, attended by Pacific leaders, representatives, and international partners including UN chief Antonio Guterres, was held at the Centenary of Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga. Photo/Joseph Safiti

Just earlier this month, confirmation from President Macron was received for a PIF tour to Noumēa before the Leader’s Meeting in Tonga.

New Caledonia has been rocked with political unrest after protests and riots broke out in the capital Noumēa on 13 May.

However, less than a week before the Leader’s meeting in Tonga, New Caledonia’s pro-independence President Louis Mapou called for the trip to be “moved to a later date” due to differences between Paris and the local government.

New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters said aspirations were high considering the tight timeline.

“Many thought it couldn’t be done anyway because of the timeline not because of what the outcome could be but we just didn’t have the time to put it together.”

While his parents the King and Queen of Tonga did not attend the church service on Sunday, Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala and his children were there. Photo/Joseph Safiti

Peters wrapped up his 5th Pacific tour to Micronesia over a week ago, visiting 14 of the 17 PIF member states since December. He plans to visit New Caledonia, Kiribati, and French Polynesia Tahiti before the end of the year.

His plans might have been derailed due to Kiribati banning foreign diplomatic visits until 2025 due to national elections but Peters said otherwise.

“I tell them [Kiribati] that I’m coming and I’m bringing the media with me.”

In his first open media conference since starting at PIFS, Waqa expressed in Suva last month his concerns about the US-China tensions.

He said it would be “hard” for the region to deal with China if Beijing behaved aggressively or disregarded the sovereignty of smaller island nations.

From left, Nauru President David Adeang, Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown, Tonga PM Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi 'Ofakivahafolau Sovaleni, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Photo/Joseph Safiti

Waqa is no stranger to Chinese politics. He clashed with China’s top diplomats while chairing the PIF leaders summit in Nauru in 2018. He labelled one Chinese official “crazy” and “insolent” when the delegation stormed out of the meeting.

Waqa has said that geopolitics could be "nasty" and the contest between the superpowers could endanger smaller Pacific island countries trying to protect their independence.

"If China behaves like that, continues to behave like that disregarding our sovereignty … to be part of the region [you need to engage] in a very genuine and constructive way," he said.

The 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting gets underway on Monday. It ends on Friday.

For live updates on the PIF summit, visit https://pmn.co.nz/read/pacific-region/pif-leaders-meeting-blog

Hundreds attend a prayer service. Photo/Joseph Safiti

A Sunday Ban is observed in Tonga. Photo/Joseph Safiti