Samoa suspends cleanup of sunken naval vessel as communities voice concerns

Samoa has suspended cleanup efforts for the sunken New Zealand naval vessel HMNZS Manawanui for one week as it prepares for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). Local communities have expressed anger over the lack of support and compensation for their losses. Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa announced that response teams will halt dive and coastal operations during CHOGM week, focusing only on monitoring and inspections. Residents are concerned about the environmental impact and have called for the ship's removal and financial compensation. Community representatives met with New Zealand officials, reiterating their demands for an independent investigation into the environmental damage. They reported significant harm to local fishing and tourism, with claims of extensive reef damage and oil spills from the wreck.