Results for Tonga political reform

Tensions were building up inside and outside of the Tonga Legislative Assembly in Nuku'alofa during the week leading up to Thursday November 16, the day mob violence erupted, destroying much of the central business district. In the following report, Matangi Tonga staff piece together what happened on that ugly day, one month ago, including the events leading up to it.

When the Tongan Legislature reconvened on Monday, November 6, after being in recess since October 23, members were told that they had only eight working days left this year. Faced with a overwhelming workload they immediately spent half a day getting heated up over the agenda and the impact of their 60% salary rise on their reputations, and then they had to close the House for another half day while they all cooled down. From the House, by Pesi Fonua.

There is no security threat in Tonga, Forum leaders have been assured, and the Pacific Islands Forum meeting is still scheduled to be held in Nuku'alofa from October 23-25, Tonga's Prime Minister Hon. Dr Feleti Sevele told the Tongan parliament yesterday. There was reported concern by Pacific Leaders for their safety while attending the Forum Meeting because of threats of protest by a pro-political reform group.

A new proposal for a Parliamentary Democratic form of government was presented by Sione Tapani Mangisi to the Kingdom of Tonga National Committee for Political Reform on June 22 in Melbourne, Australia.

Political reforms in Tonga are inevitable, the Princess Regent, HRH Salote Mafile'o Pilolevu Tuita, told the opening of parliament yesterday, but reforms must be managed properly to avoid disastrous consequences, she warned.

FROM OUR ARCHIVES: Tonga's Public Service Association (PSA) in an apparent pull-back from its demands for a new interim government and cancelling a call for strike action, has handed over the organization of tomorrow's national march to the People'’s National Committee for Political Reform, chaired by ‘Akilisi Pohiva.

Tonga prides itself as the only sovereign country in the South Pacific that was never colonised, and therefore in the 21st century we should have been able to claim the title of the most politically mature, vibrant and stable country in the region. But we are far from it. So what went wrong? Editor's Comment, by Pesi Fonua

The resignation of the Prime Minister, Prince 'Ulukalala Lavaka Ata on February 11 offers myriad possibilities in popular speculation on what may be happening in government, but one thing that is certain is that it has further magnified the political reform processes that are currently taking place in Tonga. Editor’s Comment. By Pesi Fonua

Tonga's system of government is good, but the system by itself is insufficient to bring about continued order, prosperity, and progress. What is needed is a common foundation of a moral and cultural absolute to 'undergird' our political system. - Malini V. Tukutau