King Tupou VI receives Tonga's new Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni, after presenting the Royal Warrant of Appointment for the PM at the Royal Palace in Nuku'alofa on Tuesday 28 December 2021. Sovaleni was elected as PM by the new parliament, following Tonga's November 18 general election. Photo: Pesi Fonua / Matangi Tonga Online
RNZ Pacific correspondent in Tonga, Kalafi Moala, says Tonga for some months has been awash with concerns that two commoners hold the key posts of foreign minister and defence minister.
This comes after a memorandum from the Privy Council announced the King was withdrawing his confidence in Prime Minister Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni as the Defence Minister and Cabinet's only female member, Fekita 'Utoikamanu, as the Foreign Minister.
Former attorney general in Tonga, Aminiasi Kefu says removing a minister is not something King Tupou VI can do without the backing of the prime minister, so the ball remains in Hu'akavameiliku's court.
Kalafi Moala spoke to RNZ Pacific's Don Wiseman about the implications of what was a very unusual announcement.
