Questions raised about the appointment of in-coming Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), Nauru’s Baron Waqa, have threatened to dismantle a frail unity among the leaders of the regional organisation.
Mr Waqa, former President of Nauru, has been named the next Forum Secretary General despite his history which includes ongoing investigation by Australian Federal Police for taking bribes, sacking of judges he disagreed with, and imposing harsh restrictions on media.
Nauru’s President David Adeang and his delegation stormed out of the Pacific Leaders’ plenary meeting yesterday when questions were raised about Baron Waqa. They also skipped the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Retreat at Aitutaki.
Waqa’s candidacy for the head role of PIF was supported by Micronesian countries, including Nauru. With the Secretary General appointment being on rotation among the three groups: Melanesia, Polynesia, and Micronesia. It was the Micronesian’s turn to nominate a candidate, and Waqa was their nominee.
The question that needs some answer is that of all the competent leaders of integrity from Micronesia, why was the controversial Baron Waga nominated by the Micronesians? They did this knowing full well there will be questions asked about him.
It is a fair question to be raised, for his ongoing investigation for bribery is reflective of an alleged deficiency in good governance. The fact he sacked judges who he was in conflict with, is reflective of an alleged abuse of the rule of law. His combative stance against media, and specifically investigative journalists is indicative of a man who do not want to be accountable, and who is not willing to be transparent.
How can someone like this, with questionable character, lead the most important forum of Pacific Leaders?
Waqa who was in Rarotonga has come out and arrogantly denied any wrong doing; calling reports on him by media as “lies”. He would not step aside as an act of his conscience and let the PIF leaders sort out their process of nomination and selection.
All these principles – good governance, the rule of law, accountability and transparency are foundational pillars of democracy, that holds the Pacific Islands Forum together. Despite he differences among the leaders, there are common principles and values they ascribe to without compromise.
Several of the leaders including Sitiveni Rabuka of Fiji and Fiame Naomi Mata’afa of Samoa are trying to bring Nauru back into the fold. But the leaders want to discuss the process of how Waqa was appointed to the role.
Today the Pacific leaders are in Aitutaki island on retreat where they will be discussing Waqa’s controversial appointment among other important regional issues. And the Nauru President and his delegation are snubbing the retreat.
The theme of this PIFLM in Rarotonga is “Our Voices, Our Choices, our Pacific Way”. But if we sacrifice principles that uphold integrity for the sake of unity and peace, the leaders must assess the choices they make about unity and peace. These wonderful objectives could either be based on truth or on falsehood. There is such a thing as false peace and false unity.
It is a high price to compromise principles for the sake of pretentious peace and unity.
In an organization that holds strongly to the principles of good governance, the issue of Waqa’s appointment is crucial to restoring unity that is untainted with corruption allegations.
