ULMWP acknowledges solidarity in Melanesia

The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) today welcomed the decision by the Solomon Islands Government to endorse West Papua’s observer status of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).

Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare said his government will endorse West Papua to be an Observer of the MSG and this Observer Status is given only to one united group.

Secretary General of the ULMWP, Octovianus Mote, thanked Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, and his Cabinet, in exercising its decision making mandate on behalf of the people of Solomon Islands.

“We from the ULMWP would like to personally thank the Government and the people of the Solomon Islands for paving the path to bring West Papua back to the Melanesian family. This is a courageous decision and an important step towards resolving the conflict,” said Mr Mote.

Mote said the Solomon Islands has a history of supporting West Papua. In 1996 former Prime Minister the late Solomon Mamaloni met with the late Seth Rumkorem of the Organisasi Papua Merderka. Mamaloni pledged to Mr Rumkorem saying, “your struggle is my struggle…if our generation doesn’t do anything about it, forever future generations will condemn us.”

“Prime Minister Sogavare’s endorsement displays firm Melanesian solidarity, and I would like to attribute this decision to the energetic efforts of the solidarity movement here in the Solomon Islands, especially the civil society groups, churches, youth, women’s groupings,” said Mr Mote.

The General Secretary also thanked the Governments of Vanuatu and FLNKS (Kanaky) for their long term support for West Papua.

“Vanuatu is a long term supporter of West Papua, and I want to acknowledge successive leaders who have brought the issue of West Papua to the UN and for also initiating the Wantoks Blo Yumi Bill for West Papua,” he added. As a result self-determination in West Papua is not just the concern of a supportive government; it has become the nation’s responsibility.

The ULMWP also thanked the solidarity movements in Fiji and Papua New Guinea, and continues to appeal to both governments. Fiji has in the past has expressed concern about the growing human rights violations in West Papua. While PNG Prime Minister Peter O’Neill this year made a bold statement about PNG needing to do more on the human rights violations in West Papua. He went on further to add that PNG had a moral obligation “to be the eyes for those that are blindfolded”.

“The solidarity movement through Melanesia and the Pacific is growing, and it is the people, civil societies, churches, the chiefs, women’s groups and youth that continue to support us. You are our kin and we feel that you are part of our family.”

The decision by the Solomon Islands comes timely as MSG leaders prepare to meet on the 26th of this month.