The president of Palau says the pause on Micronesia's pending withdrawal from the Pacific Islands Forum is the last chance for leaders in the south to set things right.
Last year Micronesia's nominee for secretary general, Marshall Islands diplomat Gerald Zackios, had been overlooked in favour of Cook Islands Prime Minister Puna.
The five northern Pacific states, Palau, Nauru, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia, insisted this breached a gentleman's agreement that the prestigous post be rotated by sub-region.
They then started a year long process of formally withdrawing from the Forum which will start coming into effect from June.
But now after just 18 months in the role, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Henry Puna, is reportedly to leave the post to try and repair the rift in the organisation.
The Micronesians states say they have been given an undertaking by both New Zealand's Jacinda Ardern and Australia's Marise Payne that Mr Puna is to step down by June.
With me is the president of Palau, Surangel Whipps Jr.
President Surangel Whipps Jr delivers his inaugural address, January 21. Photo: Richard Brooks
