Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukālala was in Auckland, New Zealand, to represent the Tonga government at the South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting (SPDMM).
The Prince’s presence comes amid growing concerns over apparent conflicting information and uncertainty regarding who Tonga’s current Foreign Affairs and Defence Minister is.
The meeting at Devonport Naval Base on October 1, attended by Ministers, Secretaries, and Chiefs of Defence from member countries, helps shape partnerships in the Pacific on important topical issues like security and disaster relief support, the New Zealand Defence Force told Kaniva News.
A statement from His Majesty Armed Forces said the Prince was accompanied by the Chief of the Defence Staff, Brigadier Lord Fielakepa.
“The Crown Prince highlighted Tonga’s commitment to ensuring Pacific-led solutions remain central to our regional defence efforts, ensuring our shared values guide all decisions”, the statement said.
It also said: “Tonga is proud to stand with our partners to address shared challenges, and we look forward to our continued efforts to strengthen security and resilience across our beautiful Pacific region”.
Foreign Affairs uncertainty
There is an ongoing dispute and deadlock regarding some top positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including the ministerial portfolio and the king’s appointed Secretary, which have yet to be resolved.
It follows King Tupou VI’s withdrawal of confidence and consent in the Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku, as Minister for His Majesty’s Armed Forces and in Fekitaloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism in February.
Utoikamanu was later reassigned and became the Minister of Communication (MEIDECC).
PM Hu’akavameiliku denied in August that a foreign affairs ministerial portfolio standoff poses a threat to the then Pacific leaders meeting in Nuku’alofa.
A Radio New Zealand report quoted him as saying that “he is the acting minister of foreign affairs.”
It was normal practice for the Minister of His Majesty’s Armed Forces to also become the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
In April, the Crown Prince led a government delegation to the second Japan-Pacific Islands Defense Dialogue. Members of his delegation included the Prime Minister’s defence advisers as well as officers of His Majesty’s Armed Forces.
There was no official public statement explaining why the Crown Prince led that delegation.
The ministerial issues arising from the King’s withdrawal of confidence took another turn after the Hu’akavameiliku government attempted to replace the king’s Secretary, who was appointed by the King as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Secretary.
The king’s secretary, Viliami Malolo, has filed a lawsuit against the government, and the case is currently in court.
