The Chairperson of the Pacific Islands Forum and Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, Mark Brown, has announced the postponement of the Forum Troika-led mission to New Caledonia, which will now occur after the 53rd PIF Leaders meeting in Tonga.
In a statement, Brown explained that PIF leaders had previously consented to deploying a mission to New Caledonia in response to unrest beginning on May 13. The objective of the mission was to report back to Pacific Island Leaders at the upcoming meeting in Tonga, initially scheduled for this week.
However, issues related to due process and protocol identified by the New Caledonia Government have prompted the postponement. To provide additional time for addressing these concerns, the Forum Troika has decided to delay their visit until after the meeting in Tonga.
Brown indicated that the situation in New Caledonia would be a topic of discussion during the Leaders’ meeting, which will offer further direction on how to assist. The Forum Secretariat has been collaborating with both the French State and the Government of New Caledonia to ensure that the mission’s goals align with the expectations of all stakeholders involved.
This mission was requested by New Caledonia’s President Louis Mapou and received approval from the French State. It will be led by Prime Minister Mark Brown, along with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Tongan PM Siaosi Sovaleni, who make up the current Forum Troika. Brown reaffirmed the Forum’s full commitment to support New Caledonia during this period, including through the upcoming Troika-led mission at a mutually agreed time.