In less than a week, Solomon Islands will host the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) – a regional organization created to promote the value, security, cultural and political interests of the Melanesian bloc. This is an appeal to prime minister Hon. Manasseh Sogavare to do the right thing.
The biggest agenda before the MSG is whether West Papua should be admitted into the MSG as a legitimate nation in spite of Indonesia’s occupation. It is now in the hands of prime minister Hon. Sogavare to declare his and his nation’s support for West Papua, and it is incumbent of Papua New Guinea (PNG) to make amends with their West Papuan brothers by supporting the rights to self-determination and membership of the MSG. This is their final chance to make things right and they should. Failure for Sogavare and PNG leadership to make things right will have lasting consequences for Melanesia – the ultimate betrayal.
Furthermore, if PNG, Fiji, and Solomon Islands continued to ignore West Papua’s plea for membership in the MSG, this organization must be dissolved once and for all. The MSG is the last resort for Melanesian governments and people to express their views and for its members to reaching out and helping fellow brothers in times of trouble. There are no more urgent instances before this organization than the need to include the oppressed West Papuans in this body. If there’s any nation to which organization was set up to support, it is the nation of West Papua. It would be a tremendous mistake if Melanesian leaders, particularly Solomon Islands, rejected West Papua’s request for inclusion. If all failed, the need for this organization dissolved into thin air!
I also want to call on Solomon Islanders across Solomon Islands to launch a protest outside the MSG venue and to pressure our government to support West Papua’s request to join the MSG. In my view, there’s no difference between the Kanaks of New Caledonia and the people of West Papua. However, if West Papua’s request is rejected, it is because of money hungry leaders in Melabesia and bribes from the Indonesian government that blindsided these leaders. It is a “shame” the Solomon Islands’ government in particular cannot afford to live with!
SUPPORT WEST PAPUA, SUPPORT IT NOW!
Source: Prime Minister Manessah Sogavare must do the RIGHT Thing! | Wantokism
