Fiji and Tonga - a family affair
The chiefly families of Fiji and Tonga are closely related by blood. Ratu Sir Edward Cakobau who was the Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji at independence
was the son of King George Tupou of Tonga and Adi Cakobau of Fiji. He was hence the half brother of Queen Salote who was the mother of the last King of Tonga
and the grandmother of the present King. Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, the President of Fiji now, whose father was Ratu Edward, is thus the uncle of the present King of Tonga.
The King’s grandmother and Ratu Epeli’s father were half brother and sister.
Queen Salote seemed to have had a lot of regard for Ratu Edward as he was her only brother. As for Ratu Edward, he did not have any other siblings so he seemed
to have considered her as his closest relative, ahead of his Fijian cousins. That relationship has continued, even after the deaths of Queen Salote and
Ratu Edward, between their children.
[...]
So for the Tongan Royal Family it is a family affair; they are giving protection to one of their family members who is in trouble.