Tonga's Cabinet is refuting a decision by King Tupou VI to revoke the appointments of three Ministerial portfolios.

Cabinet told the King yesterday that the two Ministers concerned will continue in their roles as Ministers of His Majesty's Armed Forces, Foreign Affairs and Tourism.

In a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office this evening, 6 February, it was confirmed that on Friday, 2 February, the Chief Secretary and Secretary for Cabinet had received a letter from the Lord Privy Seal, conveying a decision from His Majesty in Council “revoking his appointment of Hon. Hu’akavameiliku as the Minister for His Majesty’s Armed Forces, and Hon. Fekitamoeloa ‘Utoikamanu as the Minister for Foreign Affairs and as the Minister for Tourism”.

The Cabinet sought advice from the Attorney General as to the legal status of the decision by the king.

“Cabinet was advised that the decision was contrary to clause 51(3)(a) of the Constitution of Tonga. Moreover, the current legal advice was consistent with all past advices [sic] on the same issue, sent from the Attorney General’s Office to the Palace Office,” the Prime Minister's Office stated tonight.

“Yesterday, Cabinet, collectively, agreed to send a letter addressing the letter received and the legal advice to the Private Secretary of His Majesty. Consequentially, the Prime Minister who is currently overseas has reiterated his confidence in the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Hon. Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu.”

The statement from the Prime Minister's Office appeared to have been issued by the Deputy PM and Acting PM, Hon. Samiu Vaipulu, although it was not signed: “I, as the Acting Prime Minister, will continue to work together with Minister of Foreign Affairs to welcome and host bilateral meetings with New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Winston Peters and Hon. Dr. Shane Reti, Minister of Health and Pacific People, New Zealand, who are arriving in the Kingdom tonight.”

Acting PM Vaipulu told Matangi Tonga earlier today, that the Prime Minister was waiting upon a medical decision to determine whether he can be released [from hospital] and therefore, would be returning to Tonga on Friday next week.

The Prime Minister, Hon. Hu'akavameiliku, holds several Ministerial portfolios, including  HMAF, and Education. The nature of his current medical condition requiring treatment overseas, has not been publicly disclosed.

Media Release_06_02_2024_Press Release from the Government of Tonga.pdf [2]