Former Prime Minister of Almasdarnews – Vanuatu, Barak Sope, wants his country to become a member of the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonisation to counter Indonesia’s aggression on its eastern most provinces of West Papua.
Vanuatu has consistently been one of the most consistent advocates of Papuan self determination and to end Indonesian genocide against the Melanesian people of the region.
The former Prime Minister believes that Indonesia only has a seat on this committee to protect its interests in West Papua.
“The reason why Indonesia is there is to prevent West Papua’s case. That is all they are doing – always wanting to be in that top committee to ensure that West Papua is not discussed in that committee,” he said.
“That is why it is important that we have countries that would support the idea of West Papua to get independence and the proper way of doing it is to be on the Committee of 24.”
Radio NZ explained that while West Papua is not on the list of 24 territories being considered for independence, six Pacific territories are on it – namely French Polynesia, New Caledonia, American Samoa, Guam, Tokelau and Pitcairn.
