Tonga PM 'Aisake Eke unveils new Cabinet: two women and one noble among the ministers

Tuesday, 28 January 2025, 9:21 pm
Article: RNZ

Margot Staunton, Senior Journalist

Tonga's Prime Minister 'Aisake Eke has announced his new Cabinet, which unusually includes two women and only one noble.

Eleven Cabinet ministers were selected instead of 12, with four of them elected by the Prime Minister under the provisions of the Constitution.

One of them is Crown Prince Tupouto'a, the only noble in the line-up who is Minister for His Majesty's Armed Forces and Foreign Affairs.

The other three are Dr Siosiua Halavātau, the Minister for Agriculture and Forestry; Dr Ana 'Akau'ola, Minister for Health, and Sinaitakala Tu'itahi, Minister for Internal Affairs

The new ministers have officially commenced their duties, taking over from the caretaker cabinet that remained in place after the Prime Minister was elected by a secret vote of MPs on December 24.

Hu'akavameilliku Siaosi Sovaleni resigned last month ahead of a vote of no confidence in his government.

The new Tonga Cabinet is as follows:

• 1. Dr 'Aisake Valu Eke - Prime Minister, Minister for Finance, Minister for Fisheries, Minister for Prisons
• 2. Dr Taniela Likuohihifo Fusimālohi - Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Communications and Climate Change (MEIDECC); and Minister for Infrastructure (MOI)
• 3. Crown Prince Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala - Minister for Foreign Affairs and His Majesty's Armed Forces
• 4. Dr 'Uhilamoelangi Fasi - Minister for Education (MOE), Minister for Lands and National Resources.
• 5. Paula Piveni Piukala - Minister for Public Enterprises (MPEs), Minister for Police, Minister for Fire and Emergency Services.
• 6. Mo'ale Finau - Minister for Tourism, Minister for Justice
• 7. Kāpelieli Militoni Lanumata - Minister for Trade and Economic Development
• 8. Mateni Tapueluelu - Minister for Revenue and Customs (MRC)
• 9. Dr Ana 'Akau'ola - Minister for Health
• 10. Dr Siosiua Moala Halavātau - Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry
• 11. Sinaitakala Tu'itahi - Minister for Internal Affairs

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