Nauru President David Adeang, left, at the 52nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Rarotonga. Photo: Pacific Islands Forum
RNZ Pacific has confirmed from multiple sources that Nauru's president David Adeang has departed the Cook Islands just 24 hours after he walked out of a plenary meeting at the 52nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Rarotonga.
Witnesses at the airport confirmed Adeang boarded a private jet at around 11:30 local time.
A message from his press secretary sighted by RNZ Pacific also confirmed his departure.
RNZ Pacific understands Nauru's withdrawal came after questions were raised about the process to nominate the controversial former Nauru president Baron Waqa to become the next secretary-general of the Forum.
While the remaining Pacific leaders continue their deliberations, Adeang's dramatic exit again raises questions about the unity of the Forum.
Cook Islands Prime Minister and Forum chair Mark Brown met with Nauru President David Adeang and his delegation on Monday at the Nautilus Resort in Rarotonga where they discussed cooperation in fisheries and the Suva agreement. Photo: Pacific Islands Forum
Earlier on Thursday local time (Friday NZ time), Forum secretary-general Henry Puna, as he boarded the Vaka o te Moana in Aitutaki, for the leaders retreat, said the Nauru debacle will not be a distraction.
"It's [Nauru issue] not going to distract from the beauty of the forum," Puna told RNZ Pacific.
"Everybody's in good spirits," he said.
Meanwhile, 1News is reporting that the entire Nauru delegation of 10 people, including Waqa were on aboard the private charter.
Speaking exclusively to 1News journalist Barbara Dreaver, Waqa said Nauru had not attended the leaders' retreat on the island of Aitutaki today due to a misunderstanding.
"However, he said Nauru was looking forward to being part of the Pacific Islands Forum family in the future," 1News reported.
"1News asked Adeang why he had refused to attend the leaders' retreat but he refused to comment."
NZ calls for unity
New Zealand says it's crucial the Pacific is unified about the processes around appointing the Pacific Islands Forum secretary-general.
Adeang opted out of the leaders retreat in Aitutaki after reports that Samoa's Prime Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa questioned the processes surrounding selecting a secretary-general.
National's Gerry Brownlee, who is in the Cook Islands for the meeting along with outgoing Deputy PM Carmel Sepuloni, said the leaders united over the selection process after uncertainty was raised about what should have happened.
Brownlee said it needs to be agreed upon by all Pacific leaders going forward.
"The mere fact that there has been some uncertainty about what should have happened means the process needs to be agreed going forward, by all Pacific leaders," he said.