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Samoa–Tonga relations

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Samoa-Tonga relations
Map indicating locations of Samoa and Tonga

Samoa
Tonga

Samoa–Tonga relations are the bilateral relations between the Independent State of Samoa and the Kingdom of Tonga.[1] They also interact in multilateral relations, with both of them belonging to the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the Pacific Islands Forum.[2]

Historical context

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Map of Samoa, Tonga and Fiji.

According to Samoan oral tradition, Tonga was once under the dominion of the Tui Manu'a and paid tribute to the revered paramount chief.[3] In the tenth century this dominance waned and eventually supplanted by the Tuʻi Tonga Empire. While Manu'a under the Tui Manu'a remained independent, the rest of Samoa paid tribute to the Tu'i Tonga.[4] In the thirteenth century Talakaifaiki brought Samoa under his direct control, and established a capital at Safotu on the island of Savaiʻi.[5] He was later driven out by the progenitors of the Malietoa dynasty.[5] Despite this successful rebellion intermarriages between Tongan and Samoan chiefly lines continued, and Ngata, the progenitor of the current Tonga royal dynasty, the Tuʻi Kanokupolu, was of Samoan descent.[6]

In the nineteenth century, European great powers fought over the division of the region, and Samoa was colonised by the Germans.[7] Samoa was then occupied by New Zealand during the First World War.

Modern relations

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Tonga has no formally agreed maritime boundary with Samoa.[8] Talks on the issue were supposed to be finalised in 2019.[9]

In September 2017, acting Tongan Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pōhiva visited Apia with a Tongan delegation for a Pacific Islands Forum meeting.[10]

In November 2022, Samoa's O le Ao o le Malo Tuimalealiʻifano Vaʻaletoʻa Sualauvi II visited Nukuʻalofa in order to preside over a University of the South Pacific graduation ceremony in his role as USP chancellor.[11][12] While there he paid a formal visit to Tongan Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni.[13]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Vai (October 26, 2010). "Tonga's Oral History ( Fiji / Samoa / Uvea / Futuna )". Matavuvale Network. Archived from the original on 15 November 2010.
  2. ^ "Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Initiative". Asia Regional Integration Center.
  3. ^ "TALES OF TIME: Tui Manu'a Empire of Samoa". The Coconet. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  4. ^ Collocott, E. E. V. (1924). "An experiment in Tongan history". Journal of the Polynesian Society. 33 (131): 166–184. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  5. ^ a b Ella, S. (1899). "The war of Tonga and Samoa and origin of the name Malietoa". Journal of the Polynesian Society. 8 (4): 231–234. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  6. ^ ‘Ilaiu, Siaosi L. (2007). The Tu’i Kanokupolu Matai Establishment and Why would Tu’i Tonga Fuanunuiava have vied to become one? (A genealogical analysis of post 1550 AD new political hegemony in Tonga) (PDF) (M.Phil). Massey University. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  7. ^ Kees van Dijk (2015). "Pacific Strife: The Great Powers and their Political and Economic Rivalries in Asia and the Western Pacific, 1870-1914" (PDF). Amsterdam University Press. pp. 167–170. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
  8. ^ "Tonga". Pacific Maritime Boundaries Dashboard. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  9. ^ Adel Fruean (26 September 2019). "Samoa to finalise boundary negotiations with Tonga end of 2019". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  10. ^ "Tonga's P.M. Pohiva in town". Samoa Observer. 3 September 2017. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  11. ^ Gutu Faasau (16 November 2022). "Head of State on duty travel in Tonga". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  12. ^ "Samoa's Head of State to visit Tonga". Matangi Tonga. 15 November 2022. Archived from the original on 15 November 2022.
  13. ^ "Samoan Head of State pays courtesy call on Hon. Prime Minister". Office of the Prime Minister. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
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