Three nobles in Tonga resigned from their Cabinet positions following Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku’s unexpected resignation on Monday.
The news comes after Kaniva News reported in August that noble ministers had been allegedly told to resign after the recent Pacific Leaders meeting in Nuku’alofa.
MP Mateni Tapueluelu claimed at the time that this was an advice from the king, which the Minister of Internal Affairs, Lord Vaea, then conveyed to the nobles.
We contacted the Prime Minister and Lord Vaea for comment at the time.
Last month, a leaked internal memo, seen by Kaniva News, purported to have come from the chief executive of the Ministry of Lands claimed the ministry’s minister, Lord Tu’i’afitu, was expected to resign after the king allegedly withdrew his confidence. Hu’akavameiliku later told journalists that he was in discussions with the noble about his resignation.
This afternoon, the caretaker Prime Minister Samiu Vaipulu confirmed in a press conference in Nuku’alofa that three Ministers have now resigned.
They were Lord Fohe, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forests; Lord Vaea, the Minister for Internal Affairs; and Lord Tu’i’āfitu, the Minister of Lands.
The reasons behind these nobles’ resigning after Hu‘akavameiliku’s resignation are still unclear.
Five ministerial positions, including those held by Hu’akavameiliku, are currently vacant. This does not include the Minister for Fisheries, for which the nominated candidate has been awaiting the king’s approval since last year.
The position became vacant following the death of former minister Semisi Fakahau in October 2022.
New Prime Minister
Tonga is scheduled to elect the new prime minister on Christmas Eve, following a 14-day interval after Hu’akavameiliku’s resignation.
The Speaker, Lord Fakafanua, has invited nominations for Prime Minister Designate to be submitted to his office at the Legislative Assembly of Tonga by 4.30pm on Monday, December 23, 2024.
