Big, bold banners all over Tonga


Pro-democracy campaigners in Tonga may have failed in their plan to march through the main street of Nuku’alofa during the recent Forum leaders’ summit, but they still managed to make their presence felt.

In strategic locations from the Fua’amotu International Airport to downtown Nuku’alofa, big and bold banners were hoisted, either to welcome Forum leaders or denounce the policies of Prime Minister Dr Fred Sevele.

Several made references to the lack of information on China’s loan to re-build sections of Nuku’alofa destroyed in widespread riotings last November.

A few wanted political reforms to be implemented next year, and not the parliamentary-approved timeframe of 2010.

Many speculated that protestors’ presence in the Tongan capital forced the government to extend the lifespan of the emergency rule that was first enforced in Nuku’alofa during the November riots last year.

The threat by protestors to stage a march also led to the tightening up of security measures on Forum leaders.

If the banners were not enough, the group held a public rally at Tofoa, some two kilometres from the Forum venue at the Dateline International Hotel.

The rally began just as leaders were attending the formal opening of the Forum at the Palace grounds.

“We are hopeful the writings on the banners and calls from the people are loud enough this time for the Forum leaders to address our issues and concerns for political reform to happen in 2008,” lead pro-democracy campaigner ‘Akilisi Pohiva said in a statement distributed to members of the foreign media who turned up at their Tofoa protest site.

“It is quite clear from the current actions of the Sevele Administration that he only wishes overseas visitors to see the better parts of Tonga rather than the frustrations of the people.”

Pohiva is one of nine People’s Representatives in Tonga’s parliament.

Sevele is also a People’s rep but he was appointed cabinet minister by the late king as part of moves to reform the kingdom’s parliamentary system.

When the former prime minister, the youngest son of the late King resigned suddenly in early 2006, Sevele was appointed prime minister.

He is a close friend of Pohiva but people who know them said political differences have drawn them apart.