Mark Brown, the Chairperson of the Pacific Islands Forum and Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, announced that the mission led by the Forum Troika to New Caledonia has been delayed until after the 53rd PIF Leaders meeting in Tonga.
In his statement, Brown noted that PIF leaders had previously agreed to send a Troika-led mission to New Caledonia in response to unrest that began on May 13. The mission was intended to provide a report to Pacific Island Leaders at the upcoming meeting in Tonga, which was originally scheduled for this week.
However, Brown explained that the government of New Caledonia raised concerns regarding due process and protocol that must be addressed prior to the Troika’s visit. As a result, the Troika has opted to postpone the mission to allow for more time to resolve these issues among Forum Members.
The situation in New Caledonia is set to be discussed during the Leaders’ meeting, which will offer further direction on how to proceed in supporting the region. Brown indicated that the Secretariat has been collaborating with the French State and the New Caledonian government to ensure that the mission’s objectives align with the expectations of all involved parties.
The mission was requested by New Caledonia’s President Louis Mapou and subsequently authorized by the French State. It will include the leadership of Brown, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka of Fiji, and Tongan Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni, who together form the current Forum Troika.
Brown reiterated the Forum’s strong commitment to assist New Caledonia during this challenging period, including through the proposed Troika-led mission at a later mutually agreed time.