Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa has raised concerns over the process in which former Nauru president Baron Waqa was endorsed to become the next secretary-general of the Pacific Islands Forum.

Fiame wanted that selection to be discussed during the meeting, which was agreed by the leaders.

There are media reports about the Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting being fractured over the issue of Waqa’s appointment as the Forum’s incoming general secretary.

There was a dramatic walkout by Nauru President David Adeang, followed by a no-show for the gathering of leaders on Aitutaki after he felt that the Micronesia’s candidate was once again going to be ignored.

Radio New Zealand reported that according to reports and sources on the ground, Mr. Adeang then got up and left, because he believed this meant Waqa's new role was in question.

Mr. Waqa's candidacy was endorsed by the Micronesia Presidents Summit and agreed to in a special forum leaders meeting in February. Mr. Waqa's candidacy has since received criticism, due to his track record during his time in power, including sacking judges, being investigated by Australian police for taking bribes, and imposing harsh restrictions on media.

The Micronesian bloc’s threat to move out of the Forum last year arose from the appointment of Henry Puna as the secretary general saying there was a verbal agreement that a Micronesian would take the post. This led to the Suva Agreement where other key agreements favouring Micronesia were agreed to.

Now, a cloud of doubt hangs over the forum regarding what happens next with the rest of the leaders on Aitutaki.

The forum expects heart-to-heart conversations on key issues, such as climate change, regional security, economic development, and seabed mining.

According to some reports, Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka was approached by forum chair and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown to mediate the situation.

However, Mr. Rabuka told the media on Aitutaki "nobody has been approached. We have not been approached".

"It's [Nauru's] sovereign choice. I was hoping that with the [meeting] theme of 'our voices, our choices, our Pacific Way', we should all have been here."

Asked if he would support Waqa's appointment, Mr. Rabuka said: "He's not been nominated. Once it comes up we will vote".

Mr. Waqa's candidacy for the secretary-general position was part of a raft of measures agreed by forum leaders to heal a rift that threatened to sink the regional body.

But since his candidacy was confirmed, Pacific political commentators and academics have criticised the move, due to his leadership record as Nauru president from 2013 to 2019.

Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr confirmed Nauru had opted out of the retreat and had asked fellow Micronesian leaders to represent them.

"They're not here, they have their reasons and it's good to get it directly from them," Mr. Whipps said.

"We're here as Micronesia and even though they're not here, they said, 'please represent us'. So, all the rest of Micronesia is here."

Asked if it was a snub by Nauru, he said: "Maybe just a misunderstanding, but we'll get through it."

"It is just discussions that need to go on, so wait until after the retreat," he said.