Don’t know much about #Pacific Islands Forum’s succession process for its secretary general?

It’s the main topic at a special virtual meeting today (3 Feb). Just to dispel some mythology, it wasn’t always decided by consensus or without controversy ... some background

#auspol

2. Well there isn’t much documentation about it or the ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ about the sub-regional rotation of the powerful post.

Here’s a great scene setter to what’s going on today from @carreondet who broke this story last October on @RNZPacific. https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/429537/pacific-forum-chair-proposes-new-approach-over-election-of-sg

3. So here are a few bits of info from the archives … a short extension of SG's term not unprecedented.

In 1979, founding director of SPEC (South Pacific Bureau of Economic Cooperation - predecessor to PIF) Mahe Tupouniua was extended by a year.
(PIM Vol 50, no. 3, March 1979)

4. In 1979 ... the unanimous appointment of PNG's Dr Gabriel Gris as director of SPEC (South Pacific Bureau for Economic Co-operation), predecessor to PIF.

(Front page of the #PNG @Post_Courier in 10 July 1979).

5. From Pacific Islands Monthly (V56, No.9) from September 1985 ... Mahe Tupouniun returned as SG in 1983 and wanted another term.

"The general expectation is the post won't go to another Polynesian."

Henry Faati Naisali from Tuvalu got the job.

6. Consensus decision on Ieremia Tabai from Kiribati to be SG in 1991 ... with a compromise solution for the two runners-up from

"New Forum Secretariat head” - @canberratimes - 30 Jul 1991

7. Controversy in 1994 over the SG post, especially acrimonious between #PNG and #Fiji. Lots of history and power play to this dating back SPEC's formationwhen PNG was still a colony of Australia and was refused membership until independence.

PIM. Vol. 64 No. 9 (1 Sept 1994)

8. 1997 when Papua New Guinea's Noel Levi faced off against and won the SG post against Philipe Bole of Fiji and Samoa's Neroni Slade.

http://www.pireport.org/articles/1997/09/09/png-s-noel-levi-nominee-forum-secretary-general

9. In 2002 there were fears the Forum could be split as Australia ran Greg Urwin for SG ... "Australia's move could lead to Fiji pushing for the end of another convention ... the SG is never anyone from Fiji because Fiji hosts the PIF Secretariat in Suva." http://www.pireport.org/articles/2002/08/12/australia-ask-forum-secretary-general-levi-explain-anti-australian-view

10. From 2003 when Australian Greg Urwin was elected SG... ahead of rivals from Nauru, Samoa and Tonga.

"A sub-group of 6 small states... publicly opposed his candidacy, arguing that the convention of having a Pacific islander in the job should be maintained. A secret ballot ...

11. It was put to the vote... "of the forum's 16 leaders, rather than the usual method of consensus, was needed to select Mr Urwin ahead of rivals from Nauru, Samoa and Tonga."

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/small-states-philosophical-about-australian-getting-top-job/

12. From 2014's tussle when #PNG's Dame Meg emerged as SG, the first woman in the role.

#SolomonIslands then candidate Jimmie Rogers is standing again today for SG.

SOURCE: https://actnowpng.org/blog/pacific-islands-forum-meeting-people-and-power

13. 'Backstabbed'. More on the 2014 tussle... #PNG was accused by @sun_fiji of “betraying” #Fiji and breaking Melanesian solidarity, dumping Fiji's candidate Kaliopate Tavolam so Dame Meg could become SG.

LINK: https://fijisun.com.fj/2014/08/04/backstabbed/