Pacific Islands Forum Chairperson and Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, Mark Brown, announced the postponement of a Forum Troika-led mission to New Caledonia until after the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders meeting in Tonga. Earlier this month, PIF leaders had agreed to deploy the mission in response to unrest beginning on May 13.
In his statement, Brown explained that the mission was originally intended to provide a report to Pacific Island Leaders at the upcoming meeting in Tonga. However, he noted that the government of New Caledonia had raised several concerns regarding due process and protocol that must be resolved before the Troika can proceed with its visit.
To allow for the resolution of these issues among Forum Members, the Troika has decided to delay its mission. The situation in New Caledonia will be addressed during the Leaders’ meeting, which aims to offer further guidance for supporting the area.
Brown also mentioned that the Secretariat has been collaborating with the French State and the Government of New Caledonia to align the mission’s objectives and arrangements with the expectations of all stakeholders involved. The mission was requested by New Caledonia’s President Louis Mapou and had been sanctioned by the French State.
This Troika mission will be led by Prime Minister Mark Brown of the Cook Islands, along with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Tongan Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni, who together form the current Forum Troika. Brown reaffirmed the Forum’s commitment to support New Caledonia during this challenging time, including through the eventual Troika-led mission at a mutually agreed-upon time.