Prime Minister Sovaleni and Utoikamanu resign from disputed Ministries
Tonga Independent has received reliable information that Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni (Huakavameiliku) has surrendered the Defence Ministry portfolio, and Fekita Utoikamanu has surrendered the Foreign Ministry portfolio as per His Majesty Tupou VI’s decision in Privy Council.
Sovaleni remains Prime Minister, retaining control of numerous other ministries including Police and Education, while Utoikamanu retains the Tourism Ministry. The adjacent ministries were unaffected by the King’s decision, conveyed in a confidential letter to the Prime Minister and his Cabinet. The letter did not raise any other policy or appointment issues.
The resignations were submitted with the Privy Seal before Prime Minister Sovaleni and Utoikamanu flew to the Northernmost Niua islands under pressure from Parliament. They went to apologize to His Majesty for the government’s ill-advised public response to the confidential letter from the Council, as well as the legal actions they took against His Majesty.
The conclusion of this process will be His Majesty officially receiving and accepting the resignations. Any decisions regarding the two portfolios will be made in Council and reported to the government and the public afterward.
Free of Unnecessary Drama
The standoff, more akin to a chicken run, has led to speculation, noise, and confusion in the public, media, and political spheres. Foreign observers even suggested external intervention and interference in Tonga’s sovereign internal affairs, advocating for the king’s “overthrow,” alleging he was “moving” to depose the democratically elected government.
This has further shifted blame onto the Prime Minister and his administration, as it was their response that fuelled and encouraged these speculations.
The issue has also exposed new fault lines between conservatives and social progressives, disrupting the process and creating new challenges. Undoubtedly, this has impacted the Prime Minister’s support base.
Anti-Monarch or Pro-Monarch
This situation has caused people across society to reconsider their understanding of the Prime Minister’s politics, given the public defiance of the King by a government that presented itself as pro-monarchy.
The Prime Minister, a social progressive, gained experience during his years as a civil servant under Siosiua Utoikamanu in Finance and later under Fekita Utoikamanu at SPC in Fiji. His former Foreign Minister shares similar views, despite their noble bloodlines.
Utoikamanu, however, faced public backlash for suggesting Tongan law restricts women from owning land. In Tongan politics, touching the sacred Land Laws is taboo, yet she mentioned the Sovaleni administration is working to change this law.
“A few years ago, the government committed to signing CEDAW, but the population was hesitant,” she stated.
After his election in 2014, Sovaleni appointed Akilisi as Prime Minister with himself as Deputy Prime Minister. However, Pohiva later removed him from the Cabinet, aiming for a complete governance system overhaul. These were turbulent years for the monarchy, including a royal dissolution of Parliament.
The current situation evokes nostalgia for those tumultuous years, which almost tore the country apart, even after the 2006 riots and military lockdowns.
Seat of Government in Nukualofa
Initial reports from the Niuafoou meeting indicated a tone of reconciliation. However, images from the meeting suggested otherwise: heads hung low, uncomfortable expressions, and tense postures.
It appears the touring Ministers may have depleted the royal provisions. In recent years, the Royal family has visited outposts, islands, and rural communities to draw attention to their challenges.
It seems the government’s main concern is job security, rather than the subtleties of governance, despite claiming to be the “smartest government in history.”
Tonga Independent intel reveals that during the visit to HM to discuss reconciliation, the King’s response was, ‘we will discuss it when I return to Nukualofa.’
The same message was conveyed to the Prime Minister and his team during a visit to London when His Majesty was present for King Charles’ Coronation. The response remained consistent: ‘we discuss Nukualofa in Nukualofa!’
In essence, the message is clear: take government matters seriously, and discussions will occur in the appropriate time and place. As per the law, the seat of government remains in Nukualofa. Government deliberations should not occur in bars in Europe or Asia!
A Gesture for Reconciliation: A Bribe for the King’s Son?
Rumours suggest an arrangement for the Crown Prince’s appointment to the Foreign Affairs portfolio. If this came from the Palace, the Crown Prince, a scholar of international politics and a PhD candidate in international affairs, is a suitable candidate.
However, if this idea stemmed from desperation to mend relations with the Palace, it is in poor taste to use the prince’s appeal as a political tool and subject him to dirty politics.
Insecurities and Miscommunication
What triggered this crisis? Who is responsible for setting the record straight?
The answer lies in communication. The King’s letter to the PM and Cabinet was meant to be confidential. Instead of responding with courtesy, the government’s response was through news, social media, and public broadcasts.
The administration’s response was likely driven by either overconfidence or insecurity, both carrying an air of superiority and arrogance towards the King. This attitude is not new, with the leadership often referring to deliberations on His Majesty as “what does he want? They have no business here anymore; we are the democratic government!”
This crisis highlights the need for clearer communication and a respectful approach to governance, particularly in delicate matters involving the monarchy.
