This update covers developments relating to the freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly in the Federated States of Micronesia from 1st November 2024 to 24th April 2025.
GENERAL
Tense gubernatorial elections in Chuuk
On 4th March 2025, 10 out of 14 seats of the unicameral Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) were up for elections and the results were proclaimed a few days later. There are no political parties in FSM. All candidates run as independents.
State elections were held simultaneously in Chuuk State. Tensions arose as there was uncertainty as to which State Election Commission retained authority: the mandate of one commission had expired but the members nominated by the Governor to make up the new commission had not yet been confirmed by the Senate. After reports of uncounted ballot boxes, the candidates Mark Mailo and Joe Enlet took the issue to court and requested a re-vote. Legal uncertainty arose as courts issued conflicting orders about whether to re-vote in some polling places. A re-vote was held, resulting in victories for Mailo and Enlet. The tension escalated as members of the original election commission were arrested, along with their attorney, hotel staff, and printing workers, most without warrants. All were released within 24 hours. The incumbent governor does not recognise the re-vote and civil unrest followed.
On 10th April 2025, ahead of his own inauguration ceremony taking place on 15th April 2025, the Incumbent Governor Narruhn declared a state of emergency, fearing violence. He created a special police force to provide increased security and surveillance and closed down the public schools. The U.S. embassy in Kolonia, Micronesia, issued a security alert, encouraging American citizens to avoid state government buildings, crowds, and demonstrations.
During the swearing-in ceremony in Weno on 15th April 2025, police attempted to arrest the Senate President and a former election official without warrants. A physical altercation followed in the legislative chamber. According to an ousted representative in the Chuuk state legislature, the conflict “is more or less a show of power” between the state police and the municipal police.
As of 22nd April 2025, according to a Northern Mariana Islands newspaper, Chuuk remains under a state of emergency and the issues of uncounted ballots and election complaints are unresolved.
Main UN treaty on civil and political rights still not ratified
As of April 2025, the Federated States of Micronesia have still not ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights that entered into force in 1976. This treaty mandates freedom of expression (article 19), freedom of assembly (article 21) and freedom of association (article 21).
Climate change: oral statements at the ICJ and engagement to build resilience
Climate change poses significant threats for the Federated States of Micronesia and its population lives in a volatile environment.
On 9th December 2024, the Federated States of Micronesia delivered its first oral statement at the International Court of Justice during the advisory proceedings concerning the obligations of States in respect of climate change. The legal adviser emphasised the gravity of climate change impacts on small island developing States, Indigenous Peoples, and future generations of humankind and repeated the FSM’s position on the obligations of States under international law to prevent harm from greenhouse gas emissions.
From 11th to 13th February 2025, the National Adaptation Planning Project took place in Yap. This consultative planning process works towards developing an overarching National Adaptation Plan seeking to build climate resilience. A similar session had been organised in Pohnpei in 2024. The Department of Environment, Climate Change and Emergency Management working with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) convened stakeholder sessions with participants from across state government departments, non-governmental and inter-governmental organisations. They identified needs and laid out mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Civil society demands more direct support and public accountability
On 17th December 2024, the Australian think tank Lowy Institute issued a report on development opportunities in the Pacific Islands, focusing on access, accountability, and alignment in global engagements. Geopolitical rivalries in the region highlight the region’s global strategic importance and bring development opportunities, but also expose governance weaknesses and lead to concerns that external priorities are dominating local ones.
Pacific Island countries – among them the Federated States of Micronesia – receive financial support, but sustainable development goals remain unfulfilled. The report notes that citizens of Pacific Island nations are concerned about the lack of accountability and transparency in foreign aid and development projects. One suggested antidote is more local involvement in activity design, implementation and evaluation, as well as stronger inclusion of civil society.
Report shows high prevalence of partner violence
In November 2024, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) issued a report to inform the Asia-Pacific regional intergovernmental review of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Titled “Charting New Paths for Gender Equality and Empowerment”, it examines progress and challenges under six thematic areas (poverty reduction and human capital development, shared prosperity and decent work, freedom from gender-based violence, meaningful participation and gender-responsive governance, peaceful and just societies, and gender and the environment).
On gender-based violence, the report indicates that while the prevalence of reported physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence taking place in the past 12 months in Asia and the Pacific mirrors that at the global level (standing at 12.8% for women aged 15–49 years), the numbers for the Federated States of Micronesia are much higher, reaching 22% of prevalence. The data on which this report relies dates back from 2018.
On a more positive note, Micronesia obtains the highest percentage point difference in change of the proportion of women parliamentarians between 1st January 2020 and 1st April 2024 (+15.4%), thanks to a series of deliberate efforts made to increase women’s representation in the national decision-making process.
Foreign aid from Australia increases after USAID cuts
On 25th March 2025, Australia released its 2025-26 budget. The largest aid increases in the Pacific are directed towards the Federated States of Micronesia and Tonga. An increased share of foreign aid was decided after the United States announced major cuts to development and humanitarian aid abroad. 3.6 million Australian dollars (2.31 million US dollars) is allocated to FSM in the 2025-2026 budget. Australia’s cooperation with FSM focuses on the following sectors: investment in climate change and disaster resilience initiatives in renewable energy, safety and economic opportunities for women and children, health, education and scholarship opportunities.
EXPRESSION
State of the media report
On 4th March 2025, the State of the Media project led by ABC International Development issued a report on the state of the media in the Federated States of Micronesia. The three main takeaways are that 1) access to online media is a challenge as Internet services are often only available near major population centres; 2) there is only one independent media organisation – Kaselehlie Press – that works with a single reporter in a small and mostly homogenous sector; and 3) concern was expressed regarding the right to access government information.
(…) the media is used as a platform to disseminate or share information, rather than as a tool for journalists to report on issues of public interest
- Media practitioners interviewed for the State of the Media report
PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY
Youth leaders share their vision for youth empowerment and participation
On 9th April 2025, members of the Chuuk Youth Council (CYC) met with President Simina in Weno, Chuuk State. Youth leaders expressed their vision for an empowered and actively involved generation, stressing the importance of meaningful youth participation in policymaking. President Simina recognised the essential role of young people in driving national development and emphasised his administration’s willingness to collaborate with youth organisations.
Celebration of heritage and culture
From 26th February 2025 to 3rd March 2025, the Yap Day Festival took place in the villages of Rull and Weloy. This large cultural event celebrates the deep roots of Yapese culture and traditions.