Tonga in trouble

The events of last week in Tonga did not come as a surprise to the keen political watchers of the small island nation. Although many people of course were shocked at the speed of the people's reaction to parliamentory decisions leading to much rioting, destruction, burning of targetted property and the death of six reactionaries, those watching the political climate of the last decade now say, it was bound to happen. It could have been prevented with political sensitivity to the escalating tension that has been obvious in the prodemocracy movement.

The world will now watch as Tongans try to come to terms with what has happened. It is important the people and their government and traditional and religous leaders are allowed to go through their own process of internal assessment as part of their moving forward. If the Tongans can rise up from their current situation, they will eventually embrace a more democratic nation which will be better in the long run for the younger and the unborn generation. Good Luck Tonga!