Royal stoush sees conference moved

WALLIS AND FUTUNA – A Pacific Community (SPC)conference due to be held in Wallis and Futuna this week has been moved to New Caledonia because of the tension emanating from the installation of two rival kings over the weekend.

An SPC project deputy co-ordinator Julie Petit told public radio in Wallis the French prefect administering the territory advised the SPC to cancel this week’s regional technical workshop on waste management, which was expected to be attaneded by about 60 people.

The SPC says the conference is now being held over three days in Noumea and not over five days in Wallis as announced by the SPC earlier this month.

Extra police were flown to Wallis from New Caledonia last week to provide security.

On Friday, Tominiko Halagahu was made the new king but a rival council of chiefs enthroned Patalione Kanimoa (pictured left) two days later.

The territory is still a awaiting the prefect’s announcement of who France recognises as the new king.

The king and the chiefs are part of the administration and on the payroll of the French republic. - RNZI