Fiji–Tonga relations

Fiji and Tonga have a history of bilateral relations going back several centuries. As of 2008, relations between the two countries are amicable.

History

By the early 13th century, Fiji was a province of the Tongan empire. The Empire subsequently declined, but Tonga remained an influential neighbour in Fiji affairs. In 1848, Tongan Prince Ma'afu settled in Lakeba, establishing a new foothold in Fiji. He was accompanied by Tongan Wesleyan missionaries, who introduced Methodism to Fiji. Today, Methodism is the primary religion of indigenous Fijians.

Ma'afu's influence in Fiji expanded during the 1850s, threatening Seru Epenisa Cakobau's attempts to establish himself as king of all Fiji. Tonga's direct influence faded after Cakobau ceded Fiji to British sovereignty in 1874.

Contemporary relations

Relations are, at present, friendly. Fiji's Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama received "cheers and thunderous applause" from the Tongan public when he attended a Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Tonga in October 2007; the crowd's "enthusiastic reception" of Fiji's leader was likened to "that accorded to a rock star" [ [http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=72451 "Voreqe no 'leper'"] , Maria Burese, "Fiji Times", October 17, 2007] .

In terms of inter-governmental relations, Tonga has generally avoided pressuring Fiji's "interim government" into holding democratic elections. However, Tongan Prime Minister Dr.Feleti Sevele has urged Bainimarama "to produce a credible roadmap to the election according to the Constitution and law of Fiji" [ [http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=72501 "Bainimarama vows army will abide by results of 2009 election"] , "Fiji Times", October 17, 2007] . Tonga's "soft" approach to Fiji's unelected government during the regional meeting in October was in line with the approach chosen by other Pacific Island nations, but contrasted with the much harder stance adopted by Australia and New Zealand [ [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=171&objectid=10470539 "Editorial: Door must stay closed to imposter"] , "New Zealand Herald", October 18, 2007] . The Tongan government rejected "several [...] attempts by [New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark] to lobby for Commodore Bainimarama's exclusion from the meeting" [ [http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=70464 "Tonga to host interim PM"] , "Fiji Times", September 13, 2007] .

References