Tomasi Kulimoetoke II

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Tomasi Kulimoetoke II (born July 26, 1918) is the 50th and current King of Uvea, a traditional kingdom in the French territory of Wallis and Futuna. He became king on March 12, 1959 after a 6 month-rule by the Council of Ministers.

In 2005, the King nearly lost his throne as his grandson killed a pedestrian in a drink-driving accident and took refuge in the royal palace. Reformists wished to depose the King and install Sosefo Mautamakia as his successor. Local riots occurred and the coronation did not take place. The King retained the throne and would be further recognised as such by France. Several hundred of the King's supporters marched and built roadblocks on the island during the crisis.[1]

The King himself urged France to "quit the colony". The grandson then surrendered to the French police. He also claimed that the incident was dealt with according to tribal law and that the French penal law should be abolished in Uvea.

[edit] References

  1. ^ New Zealand Herald


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