Tag: MSG Membership

Pacific Solomon Islands 18 Nov 2016 MSG secretariat pencils date for leaders summi
RadioNZ – The director-general of the Melanesian Spearhead Group says the secretariat has a proposed date for a leaders summit to discuss West Papuan membership.
MSG members are yet to settle on a date for their summit. Photo: RNZI / Johnny Blades
Amena Yauvoli told Vanuatu media that 20 December is the proposed date for the summit in Port Vila, with the secretariat awaiting a consensus on the matter among members.
The meeting was postponed for a second time in early October, and the secretariat had since been unable to pin down a date that works for all leaders from the five full MSG members.
The five are Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and New Caledonia’s FLNKS Kanaks Movement.
They are due to deliberate on an application for full membership by the United Liberation Movement for West Papua which is opposed by Indonesia.
The Liberation Movement was granted observer status in the MSG in 2015, while Indonesia is an associate member.
In a sign of the sensitivity around the issue within the MSG, leaders have this year deferred a number of summits where West Papuan membership was a priority item.
Solomon Islands prime minister Manasseh Sogavare, who is the current MSG chairman, has been instrumental in advancing the West papuan membership issue. Photo: RNZI
The annual MSG leaders summit was held in Honiara in July after several late changes of venue and date.
In Honiara, leaders deferred their decision on the Liberation Movement’s application for full membership, saying adequate membership criteria had to be developed first.
Vanuatu’s prime minister Charlot Salwai subsequently explained that since last year MSG membership criteria had been developed which did not reflect the group’s founding principles.
Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and the FLNKS are understood to support the Liberation Movement for full membership, with PNG and Fiji inclining towards Jakarta’s stand on the matter.
PNG Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato (right) talking to his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi. Photo: Supplied
Amid frustrations with the availability of all members, reports have surfaced that the MSG could make a decision on Papuan membership if three of the five full members were present.
Meanwhile, according to Mr Yauvoli, as well as the membership matter, MSG leaders are required to meet in order to approve the secretariat’s 2017 budget.
The secretariat has struggled with a lack of resourcing in recent years, with some full members not paying their full fee commitments.
November 18, 2016
Full West Papua membership expected by December
Radio NZ – There are plans afoot to ensure West Papua gets full membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group by the end of the year.
That’s according to a long-time campaigner for West Papua and Vanuatu churchman Pastor Alan Nafuki.
He received a briefing from the MSG’s chair and Solomon Islands prime minister Manasseh Sogavare last week as a leaders summit was deferred for the second time.
There’s been disagreement among Melanesian leaders over a full seat at the table for the United Liberation Movement for West Papua.
Pastor Nafuki told Sally Round a summit is now set for early December and full membership for West Papuans will be like Christmas cake for all Melanesian countries.
Transcript
West Papuans demonstrate support for the United Liberation Movement for West Papua’s bid to be a full member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group. Photo: Tabloid Jubi
PASTOR ALAN NAFUKI: It has been decided next time around when the summit convenes its meeting during the month of December this year, there are other alternatives to make, to make sure that the West Papua issue, West Papua bid to become a full member of MSG will be granted by December. Regardless of if all the Melanesian countries do not get together, that would not stop the granting of the West Papuans full membership of the MSG.
SALLY ROUND: Mr Sogavare had some kind of plan for this?
AN: Leaders of government, they have their own plans but I would speak on behalf of civil society within the Melanesian countries like New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands and civil society in Papua New Guinea and also in Fiji, that we’ve been fighting for many, many years now. We are looking forward to the summit that is being organised, planned for December this year.
SR: At your meeting with Mr Sogavare last week were any of the avenues discussed about how, without certain countries attending…
AN: He only briefed us that the meeting was scheduled for December and things should be OK by December because even if majority were present, the meeting would continue to boost West Papua into the membership of MSG. To my understanding what the prime minister of Solomon Islands was saying, I think it was obvious and it was good. I think I am satisfied with what he has said and I am very pleased. I think some of the government people, they are trying to revisit the MSG constitution and see what options they can take best to accommodate the West Papuans. The Vanuatu government asked the chiefs of Vanuatu and churches in Vanuatu if we are all 100 percent supporting, so you could not deny anything from our side. It would only look at other countries. But we are looking forward and we made sure that our … the prime minister of Solomon Islands and Vanuatu really understood our voice (inaudible). 100 percent of our people are supporting the West Papuans to come in the membership of the MSG and also for the self determination and of course independence. We have been fighting for this for many, many years. This will be a relief for me. It will be another achievement that is going to be a part of Christmas cake for all Melanesian countries.
October 19, 2016
Pacific West Papua 14 Jul 2016 Decision looms on West Papua’s MSG bid
Radio NZ – The leaders of the Melanesian Spearhead Group are expected to announce whether or not West Papua will gain full membership this afternoon.
An organisation representing West Papua independence groups, the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, was last year granted observer status within the MSG.
But Indonesia, which considers the movement a separatist group with no legitimacy, was also granted associate status.
Jakarta has this year warned Melanesian leaders to “think carefully” about any decision about West Papuan membership, and has put great effort into lobbying ahead of today’s summit.
Vanuatu, a key advocate for West Papua, is pushing for the movement to gain full membership, which is supported by Solomon Islands and New Caledonia’s FLNKS movement.
But Papua New Guinea and Fiji have expressed their support for Indonesia’s sovereignty over West Papua, and are unlikely to support the country’s removal from the MSG, which Vanuatu is pushing for.
The announcement has been brought forward to this afternoon as Fiji’s prime minister, Frank Bainimarama, has to leave Honiara later today.
Church calls for consideration
The Catholic Church in Papua New Guinea said MSG leaders should consider West Papua’s application.
The Archbishop of Port Moresby, Sir John Ribat, says the movement should be allowed full membership because of its representation of the indigenous Papuans, who are Melanesian.
He said human rights concerns in West Papua need to be discussed within the framework of the MSG, and Indonesia should be involved with them too, but as an observer.
October 17, 2016
Anggota Parlemen Kep. Solomon : Indonesia bukan Melanesia
Jayapura, Jubi – Kepulauan Solomon menegaskan kembali sikapnya terhadap isu Papua dan Melanesia, terkait status United Liberation Movement for West Papua di Melanesia Spearhead Groups (MSG)
“Indonesia bukan Melanesia dan ULMWP adalah perwakilan sah rakyat dan bangsa Papua di Melanesia,” kata Derrick Manuari kepada Jubi melalui sambungan telepon, Kamis (13/10/2016).
Manuari, anggota parlemen Kepulauan Solomon yang mewakili Solidaritas Kepulauan Solomon untuk Papua Barat menjelaskan pertimbangan soal kemelanesiaan itulah yang menjadi alasan Kepulauan Solomon dan Vanuatu serta Front Pembebasan Kanak (FLNKS) memutuskan untuk menerima ULMWP sebagai anggota MSG pada bulan Desember nanti.
Sekalipun Fiji dan Papua Nugini (PNG), dua negara terbesar di MSG tidak menghadiri pertemuan anggota MSG pada Desember nanti, tiga anggota ini telah menentukan sikap mereka.
Manuari menambahkan, sikap tiga anggota ini diputuskan setelah melakukan lobi intens dengan beberapa negara Pasifik seperti Tokelau, Nauru, Tonga dan Marshall Islands.
“Tentu saja akan ada protes dari anggota lain. Fiji dan PNG punya hubungan yang sangat dekat dengan Indonesia. Namun solidaritas Melanesia seharusnya mendukung bangsa Papua Barat daripada mempromosikan Indonesia di Melanesia,”
jelas Manuari.
Lanjutnya, meskipun Fiji dan PNG tidak mendukung keputusan yang diambil tiga anggota penuh lainnya, MSG akan berdiri pada prinsip pendirian MSG, yaitu mempromosikan solidaritas Melanesia di kawasan.
“Kembali kami tegaskan, Indonesia bukan Melanesia dan ULMWP adalah perwakilan sah bangsa dan rakyat Papua yang adalah bangsa dan rakyat Melanesia,” tegas Manuari.
Indonesia, lanjutnya, selalu melakukan protes terhadap apa saja yang dilakukan bangsa-bangsa di Melanesia dan Pasifik yang berkaitan dengan Papua baik dalam forum MSG maupun Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). Sikap Indonesia ini, menurutnya bukanlah sikap yang biasa ditunjukkan oleh bangsa Melanesia.
“Posisi Solomon jelas dalam hal ini. Kami tidak bisa terus menerus menggunakan alasan teknis soal keanggotaan untuk menghalangi hak bangsa dan rakyat Melanesia lainnya untuk terlibat dalam solidaritas Melanesia dan MSG. Karena disitulah prinsip dasar MSG diletakkan oleh para pendiri,”
kata Manuari. (*)
October 13, 2016
lans afoot for West Papuan membership by year end
Radion NZ – A Vanuatu churchman says there are plans underway to ensure West Papua will be granted full membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group before Christmas.
A Vanuatu churchman says there are plans underway to ensure West Papua will be granted full membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group before Christmas.
The Melanesian Spearhead Group Secretariat in Port Vila, Vanuatu
The Melanesian Spearhead Group Secretariat in Port Vila, Vanuatu Photo: RNZI / Jamie Tahana
Summit meetings of the regional body have been deferred twice this year amid apparent disagreement among leaders over the issue.
The Chairman of the Vanuatu Free West Papua Association, Pastor Alan Nafuki, said he received a briefing on the situation from the MSG’s chair and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare last week.
Pastor Nafuki said he’d been told the summit would now go ahead in early December whether or not all countries attend.
He said full membership for West Papua would be a great achievement and like Christmas cake for all Melanesian countries.
“I am satisfied with what he said and I am very pleased. I think some of the government people they are trying to revisit the MSG constitution and see what option they can take best to accommodate the West Papuans.”
Pastor Nafuki said he’d made sure the prime ministers of Vanuatu and Solomon Islands understood that the people of Vanuatu were 100 percent behind membership for West Papuans.
October 10, 2016
West Papua’s MSG membership expected by December
Radio NZ – Reports from Vanuatu say West Papua is poised to be granted full membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) in December.
The Daily Post said this was announced by the MSG chair, the Solomon Islands prime minister Manasseh Sogavare, in Port Vila at a meeting with West Papuan representatives.
Mr Sogavare reportedly said Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia’s FLNKS movement would admit West Papua at the next MSG Leaders Summit in Vanuatu even if Papua New Guinea and Fiji stay away.
An MSG summit planned for last week was cancelled without a reason being given after it had already been deferred earlier in the year.
The United Liberation Movement for West Papua has been seeking to become a full member of the MSG which last year made Indonesia as an associate member.
The Chairman of the Vanuatu Free West Papua Association Pastor Allan Nafuki said if Fiji and Papua New Guinea do not turn up for the next summit, the three other members will have no alternative but to go ahead and vote West Papua into full MSG membership.
Concern about human rights abuses by Indonesian forces in West Papua was raised by several Pacific Islands countries at the United Nations last month, triggering a rebuke from Jakarta for alleged interference in Indonesia’s domestic affairs.
October 10, 2016
West Papua’s MSG membership expected by December
Radio NZ, Reports from Vanuatu say West Papua is poised to be granted full membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) in December.
The Daily Post said this was announced by the MSG chair, the Solomon Islands prime minister Manasseh Sogavare, in Port Vila at a meeting with West Papuan representatives.
Mr Sogavare reportedly said Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia’s FLNKS movement would admit West Papua at the next MSG Leaders Summit in Vanuatu even if Papua New Guinea and Fiji stay away.
An MSG summit planned for last week was cancelled without a reason being given after it had already been deferred earlier in the year.
The United Liberation Movement for West Papua has been seeking to become a full member of the MSG which last year made Indonesia as an associate member.
The Chairman of the Vanuatu Free West Papua Association Pastor Allan Nafuki said if Fiji and Papua New Guinea do not turn up for the next summit, the three other members will have no alternative but to go ahead and vote West Papua into full MSG membership.
Concern about human rights abuses by Indonesian forces in West Papua was raised by several Pacific Islands countries at the United Nations last month, triggering a rebuke from Jakarta for alleged interference in Indonesia’s domestic affairs.
October 10, 2016
West Papua to be granted full MSG membership
By PMC Reporter – October 10, 2016
The community in West Papua acknowledged the support shown by the Pacific leaders at the UN General Assesmbly this year. Image: The West Papua National Authority
West Papua will be granted full membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) in December, 2016.
The Vanuatu Daily Post reported that the announcement was made by the chairman of the MSG and prime minister of the Solomon Islands, Manasseh Sogavare, while he met with the chairman of Vanuatu Free West Papua Association, Pastor Allan Nafuki and prominent West Papua prominent leaders Jacob Rumbiak, Benny Wenda and Andy Ayamiseba in Port Vila last week.
‘overdue smile’
The Daily Post stated: “The Chairman of VFWPA said he smiled a long overdue smile and breathed a sigh of relief saying, ‘Now I can go to my home island of Erromango and have a peaceful sleep with my grandchildren, with no disturbance whatsoever.’”
West Papua, through the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), has long campaigned for full membership status of the MSG.
At the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, this year in September, Pacific Islands leaders from the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu supported West Papua’s right to self determination. They also called on the UN to investigate the country’s ongoing human rights abuses.
It was the first time several Pacific Island leaders spoke collectively about West Papua on a global platform.

During the time of the Assembly a new report which detailed the human rights violations in West Papua and explained why full MSG membership is an essential step for peace was published online. The research aimed to convince Pacific leaders on providing full membership of the MSG to the ULMWP.
‘incredible solidarity’
Over the weekend the ULMWP released a statement thanking the island nations for their support.
“On behalf of the people of West Papua, the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) would like to express its deepest and sincerest thanks and encouragement to you all for your incredible solidarity and support for our people, at the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.”
“It brings tears to our eyes and joy to our hearts to witness such strong Pacific Island solidarity for our people who have suffered the most sever human rights violations for over 50 years.”
Read the full Daily Post report.
October 10, 2016
ULMWP dijamin ‘Full Member’ di MSG
Jayapura, Jubi – Dengan maupun tanpa kehadiran PNG dan Fiji pada KTT Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Desember mendatang, pemimpin Vanuatu, Kepulauan Solomon dan New Caledonia akan menjamin keanggotaan penuh West Papua di MSG.
Jaminan tersebut diberikan oleh Perdana Menteri Kepulauan Solomon, sekaligus ketua MSG, Manasseh Sogavare, setelah bertemu Ketua Asosiasi Free West Papua Vanuatu (VFWPA), Pastor Allan Nafuki, dan para pemimpin ULMWP Jakob Rumbiak, Benny Wenda, dan Andi Ayamiseba minggu lalu.
“Sekarang saya bisa pulang ke rumah di Pulau Erromango dan tidur dengan damai bersama cucu-cucu saya,” kata Allan Naruki seperti dilansir Vanuatu Daily Post Sabtu, (9/10/2016).
Naruki mengatakan, West Papua telah menderita akibat brutalitas kolonial dan kematian selama 54 tahun dibawah kekuasaan Indonesia. “Saya percaya, masanya sudah tiba bagi rakyat Melanesia di West Papua untuk menikmati penentuan nasib sendiri,” katanya dengan dengan yakin.
Dia juga menegaskan semua organisasi masyarakat sipil di PNG, Kepulauan Solomon, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, dan Fiji 100% mendukung sikap pimpinan MSG ini. “Saya mau tekankan, rasio dukungan (terhadap keanggotaan penuh ULMWP di MSG) itu 100%, sekali lagi 100%.”
Sebelumnya seperti dilansir Radio New Zealand (3/10), mantan perdana menteri Vanuatu, Barak Sope mengatakan MSG menjadi tidak efektif akibat ulah permainan (pemerintah) Fiji dan PNG.
KTT MSG, yang seharusnya dilakukan minggu-minggu ini, ditunda tanpa penjelasan. Hal ini terjadi karena MSG berjuang untuk keanggotaan penuh ULMWP, yang ditolak oleh Indonesia.
Barak Sope, pendukung loyal kemerdekaan West Papua, mengatakan ketidakefektifan akibat ulah Fiji dan PNG ini, yang didukung Indonesia, telah membuat keputusan MSG terus tertunda-tunda terkait ULMWP.
“Saya kita ini permainan saja antara pemerintah PNG dan Fiji,” ujarnya. “Mereka bekerja sama dengan Indonesia, dan mereka tidak mendukung rakyat Melanesia di West Papua yang menghendaki kemerdekaan. Karena itu terus tertunda-tunda.”
Dia meminta agar ketiga anggota MSG lainnya, Vanuatu, Kepulauan Solmon, dan FLNKS-New Caledonia, harus terus jalan dan membuat keputusan tanpa Fiji dan PNG.
Pastor Nafuki, yang hadir dan kecewa karena keanggotaan ULMWP menjadi tertunda di KTT MSG Juli lalu, tidak menjelaskan lebih lanjut apa yang terjadi di Honiara waktu itu. Namun sumber terpercaya mengatakan PNG dan Fiji keluar dari KTT tersebut.
“Sekarang mereka berulah lagi di Port Vila, membuat alasan serupa untuk menunda pertemuan,” ujar Nafuki yang padahal telah menyiapkan berbagai kegiatan masyarakat sipil untuk memastikan keanggotaan ULMWP pada KTT yang sedianya dilakukan Oktober ini.
Pada pertemuan dengan Ketua MSG minggu lalu, Nafuki memaparkan “rencana strategis” nya kepada Perdana Menteri Vanuatu, Perdana Menteri Solomon Manasseh Sogavare dan Victor Tutugoro-New Caledonia, untuk mencari terobosan guna menolong West Papua tanpa Fiji dan PNG.
“Sejauh yang dipahami masyarakat sipil, jika dua dari tiga anggota MSG hadir maka teruskan keputusan, namun mesti berhati-hati juga untuk tidak melanggar konstitusi MSG,” ujar Nafuki.
Dengan nada gembira, Nafuki lalu mengulang kembali respon Ketua MSG, Manasseh Sogavare, pada pertemuan minggu lalu.
Menurut Nafuki, PM Sogavare menegaskan jika Fiji dan PNG tidak hadir pada KTT MSG di minggu kedua atau ketiga Desember mendatang, tiga negara anggota tidak punya alternatif lain selain melanjutkan pertemuan dan memutuskan West Papua menjadi anggota penuh MSG.
Ketika ditanya bagaimana sikap Indonesia terkait rencana ini, Nafuki mengatakan, “itu tidak didiskusikan. Kepentingan saya hanya bagaimana caranya West Papua bisa menjadi anggota penuh MSG,” ujarnya.
Bagi Nafuki, konfirmasi Ketua MSG ini sudah memberi dia dan seluruh anggota VFWPA dan organisasi masyarakat sipil di Melanesia 100% harapan bagi perubahan nasib West Papua.
“Ini berita sangat baik bagi kami! Waktu itu kami duduk bersama dengan Andy (Ayamiseba), Benny (Wenda), dan Jacob (Rumbiak) dan jajaran saya di meja yang sama,” kata Nafuki.
Dikonfirmasi Jubi, Sabtu (9/10/2016), Andy Ayamiseba membenarkan pertemuan tersebut. “Betul, kami sudah lakukan pertemuan dengan PM Kepulauan Solomon, Manasseh Sogavare, di Port Vila,” ujarnya.(*)
October 10, 2016
Pacific Vanuatu 10 Oct 2016 Plans afoot for West Papuan membership by year end
RadioNZ – A Vanuatu churchman says there are plans underway to ensure West Papua will be granted full membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group before Christmas.
The Melanesian Spearhead Group Secretariat in Port Vila, Vanuatu Photo: RNZI / Jamie Tahana
Summit meetings of the regional body have been deferred twice this year amid apparent disagreement among leaders over the issue.
The Chairman of the Vanuatu Free West Papua Association, Pastor Alan Nafuki, said he received a briefing on the situation from the MSG’s chair and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare last week.
Pastor Nafuki said he’d been told the summit would now go ahead in early December whether or not all countries attend.
He said full membership for West Papua would be a great achievement and like Christmas cake for all Melanesian countries.
“I am satisfied with what he said and I am very pleased. I think some of the government people they are trying to revisit the MSG constitution and see what option they can take best to accommodate the West Papuans.”
Pastor Nafuki said he’d made sure the prime ministers of Vanuatu and Solomon Islands understood that the people of Vanuatu were 100 percent behind membership for West Papuans.
October 10, 2016

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