NO PIFS, No worries

So, this is how it has finally come down?  After membership in the Pacific Islands Forum for 30 plus years, with only one Secretary-General spot for Micronesia (from Kiribati in 1992), the "gentleman's agreement" did not stand, the "pacific way" did not make a way.  

Since last year and before that, the leaders of the five Micronesian nations (Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Republic of Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), Republic of Kiribati, and the Republic of Nauru) banded together to push for a Secretary-General from the Micronesian sub-region to head the region's premier political and economic policy organisation.  At the last Micronesian Islands Forum in October 2020 a communique was signed to push for a Secretary-General from Micronesia, Ambassador Gerald Zackios from the Republic of Marshall Islands.  Ambassador Zackios is currently the RMI Ambassador to the USA and former head of SPC in the North Pacific.  The communique was also a notice to the Pacific Islands Forum that all five Micronesian nations would withdraw from the Forum if their candidate was not chosen.

"Presidents agreed that the solidarity and integrity of the PIF is strengthened by the Gentlemen's Agreement, that this issue is one of respect and Pacific Unity, and that it is non-negotiable for Member States,'' the communiqué stated.

They added, "Presidents agreed that in the 'Pacific Way', a 'Gentlemen's Agreement' is an agreement, and if this agreement is not honoured, then the Presidents would see no benefit to remaining in the PIF."

Well, as of today, the new Secretary-General for the Pacific Islands Forum is NOT from a Micronesian nation.  Indeed and instead, former Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna is now at the helm of the Forum.  Feedback from the Micronesian nations has included President Surangel Whipps Jr., President of the Republic of Palau.

"Clearly there is no need really for Micronesians to be part of them (PIF), they don't really consider us part of them," Whipps Jr lamented.

Right about now is a great time to exit stage NORTH and don't look back.  As a citizen of the Federated States of Micronesia, I struggle to understand what benefits, if any, membership in the Pacific Islands Forum brought to the people of Micronesia.  I truly had not even heard of this organization until about 2015, and now I wonder (sarcastically) how I could have ever lived a complete life without knowledge of their existence.  So, I think, for the most part, no one at least in the FSM, will truly miss the membership and questionable benefits of the Pacific Islands Forum.  Later, dudes.

   

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