Author Archives: Tess Newton Cain

Mid-year at the Melanesian Spearhead Group

Posted on Thursday 20 June 20 2013 by Tess Newton Cain

This year, as predicted, is shaping up to be one of great significance for the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) and its constituent members. The silver jubilee celebrations have been continuing, and today (20 June) sees the annual leaders’ summit in Noumea, at which point the chairmanship will transfer from Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama of Fiji to Victor Tutugoro, the spokesperson for the Front de Libération et Socialiste (FLNKS) of New Caledonia. […] Continue reading →

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Final Report of the Solomon Islands Truth & Reconciliation Commission unofficially released

Posted on Wednesday 1 May 1 2013 by Tess Newton Cain

At the height of the ethnic tensions in Solomon Islands, in 2000, the Solomon Islands Christian Association requested that a Truth and Reconciliation Commission be established. Further to the passage of an Act of Parliament in 2008, this came about in 2009. In February of 2012 the Commission presented its five-volume report to Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo. Under the terms of the governing Act, ‘The Prime Minister on receiving […] Continue reading →

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In conversation with Sir Mekere Morauta

Posted on Monday 8 April 8 2013 by Tess Newton Cain

Tess Newton Cain got a chance to meet up with Sir Mekere Morauta whilst he was in Port Vila recently. You can listen to the podcast of their conversation here and read the full transcript here. For a summary of what they discussed, read on… The main topic of conversation was the ongoing review of the Pacific Plan – Sir Mekere is the eminent person leading the review team. The […] Continue reading →

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Peter Forau on why the Melanesian Spearhead Group is a success

Posted on Tuesday 5 March 5 2013 by Tess Newton Cain

Tess Newton Cain recently caught up with Peter Forau, the Director General of the Melanesian Spearhead Group Secretariat. You can read the full transcript of their interview here or download it as a podcast here. But for the edited highlights, read on… This year the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) will celebrate its 25th birthday. Each member country (PNG, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji and the FLNKS) will have a week of […] Continue reading →

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Pacific predictions 2013 – Fiji falters, and more

Posted on Tuesday 15 January 15 2013 by Tess Newton Cain

This time last year, I offered Pacific predictions for 2012: you can see them here. Looking back, I didn’t do too badly, so I thought I’d have another go this year. There will no doubt be many other highlights and key moments but here I identify some of what I think will be the big ticket items, under the headings of politics, economics, and regionalism. Politics Elections – forthcoming and […] Continue reading →

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Review: Palm tree justice

Posted on Wednesday 3 October 3 2012 by Tess Newton Cain

This book provides a very particular and personal view from inside Operation Helpem Fren, otherwise known as the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, or RAMSI. This Australian-led mission has been part of the landscape of Solomon Islands since 2003, so Drumgold’s book is very much a snapshot of a particular time (January 2006 to February 2007). After the initial mission to restore peace, RAMSI scaled back its military input […] Continue reading →

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