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Melanesian Spearhead Group

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Wenda calls on Melanesian ‘Good Samaritans’ to help free West Papua

January 24, 2023

By Len Garae in Port Vila West Papua independence campaigner Benny Wenda is in Vanuatu to meet Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau’s newly-installed government. Wenda said he would also “strategise” on the way forward towards gaining eventual sovereignty from Indonesia and would be discussing ongoing issues in West Papua. These include human rights abuses, and internal ... <a title="Wenda calls on Melanesian ‘Good Samaritans’ to help free West Papua" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/01/24/wenda-calls-on-melanesian-good-samaritans-to-help-free-west-papua/" aria-label="Read more about Wenda calls on Melanesian ‘Good Samaritans’ to help free West Papua">Read more</a>

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Yamin Kogoya: While West Papuans face an ‘existential threat’ under Indonesia, PNG plans defence pact with Jakarta

December 15, 2022

ANALYSIS: By Yamin Kogoya “We are part of them and they are part of us,” declared politician Augustine Rapa, founder and president of the PNG Liberal Democratic Party, on the 61st anniversary of the struggle for West Papuan independence earlier this month. Rapa’s statement of West Papua at Gerehu, Port Moresby, on December 1 was ... <a title="Yamin Kogoya: While West Papuans face an ‘existential threat’ under Indonesia, PNG plans defence pact with Jakarta" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2022/12/15/yamin-kogoya-while-west-papuans-face-an-existential-threat-under-indonesia-png-plans-defence-pact-with-jakarta/" aria-label="Read more about Yamin Kogoya: While West Papuans face an ‘existential threat’ under Indonesia, PNG plans defence pact with Jakarta">Read more</a>

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60,000 flee as West Papua conflict deepens, poses questions for region

December 19, 2021

SPECIAL REPORT: By Johnny Blades, RNZ Pacific journalist Armed conflict in West Papua continues to claim lives, displace tens of thousands of people and cause resentment at Indonesian rule. But despite ongoing calls for help, neighbouring countries in the Pacific Islands region remain largely silent and ineffectual in their response. This year, Indonesia’s military has ... <a title="60,000 flee as West Papua conflict deepens, poses questions for region" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2021/12/19/60000-flee-as-west-papua-conflict-deepens-poses-questions-for-region/" aria-label="Read more about 60,000 flee as West Papua conflict deepens, poses questions for region">Read more</a>

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Pacific civil society groups slam New Caledonia ballot as ‘unjust … unfair’

December 16, 2021

Asia Pacific Report newsdesk The French government’s decision to press ahead with the third and final referendum vote for self-determination in Kanaky New Caledonia was “unjust and unfair” for the Indigenous Kanak people, says a coalition of nine pan-Pacific civil society groups. The groups have also accused the French state of “colonial manoeuvring in the ... <a title="Pacific civil society groups slam New Caledonia ballot as ‘unjust … unfair’" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2021/12/16/pacific-civil-society-groups-slam-new-caledonia-ballot-as-unjust-unfair/" aria-label="Read more about Pacific civil society groups slam New Caledonia ballot as ‘unjust … unfair’">Read more</a>

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New Caledonia votes to stay with France, but it’s a hollow victory that will only ratchet up tensions

December 14, 2021

ANALYSIS: By David Robie “Loyalist” New Caledonians handed France the decisive victory in the third and final referendum on independence it wanted in Sunday’s vote. But it was a hollow victory, with pro-independence Kanaks delivering Paris a massive rebuke for its three-decade decolonisation strategy. The referendum is likely to be seen as a failure, a ... <a title="New Caledonia votes to stay with France, but it’s a hollow victory that will only ratchet up tensions" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2021/12/14/new-caledonia-votes-to-stay-with-france-but-its-a-hollow-victory-that-will-only-ratchet-up-tensions/" aria-label="Read more about New Caledonia votes to stay with France, but it’s a hollow victory that will only ratchet up tensions">Read more</a>

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Vanuatu’s Shefa province recognises Wenda’s West Papua government

December 7, 2021

RNZ Pacific Vanuatu’s Shefa province is recognising Benny Wenda as the interim president of a provisional “independent” West Papuan government. In a country that has historically been the most vocal in support of West Papuan self-determination rights, Shefa province is the first authority in the country to officially recognise an independent West Papua government. Wenda, ... <a title="Vanuatu’s Shefa province recognises Wenda’s West Papua government" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2021/12/07/vanuatus-shefa-province-recognises-wendas-west-papua-government/" aria-label="Read more about Vanuatu’s Shefa province recognises Wenda’s West Papua government">Read more</a>

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Dan McGarry: It’s how, not who in Melanesian politics

November 29, 2021

THE VILLAGE EXPLAINER: By Dan McGarry in Port Vila One of the key characteristics of Melanesian politics is its ability to remain formless and chaotic right up until the point where, after a strange and often obscure catalysing moment, it abruptly transforms itself. More than a few people will attribute Solomon Islands’ recent tragic political ... <a title="Dan McGarry: It’s how, not who in Melanesian politics" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2021/11/29/dan-mcgarry-its-how-not-who-in-melanesian-politics/" aria-label="Read more about Dan McGarry: It’s how, not who in Melanesian politics">Read more</a>

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PODCAST: Covid-19 & Melanesian Instability with Buchanan + Manning + Dr David Robie

August 12, 2021

A VIEW FROM AFAR: Dr Paul Buchanan and Selwyn Manning are joined by Melanesian and Pacific affairs expert, Dr David Robie, to discuss how Covid-19 has become a trigger of instability in the wider Pacific Region. In this, the first of a two-part SPECIAL, we deep dive into the complexities of Melanesian west Pacific affairs.

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LIVE@MIDDAY: Covid-19 & Melanesian Instability with Buchanan + Manning + Dr David Robie

August 12, 2021

LIVE PODCAST: In this episode of A View from Afar Paul Buchanan and Selwyn Manning are joined by Dr David Robie to discuss how Covid-19 has become a trigger of instability in the wider Pacific Region. Dr David Robie is editor of AsiaPacificReport.nz and a renowned expert on Melanesian and Pacific affairs. In this, the ... <a title="LIVE@MIDDAY: Covid-19 & Melanesian Instability with Buchanan + Manning + Dr David Robie" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2021/08/12/livemidday-covid-19-melanesian-instability-with-buchanan-manning-dr-david-robie/" aria-label="Read more about LIVE@MIDDAY: Covid-19 & Melanesian Instability with Buchanan + Manning + Dr David Robie">Read more</a>

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West Papua unhappy over never-ending MSG membership tragedies

June 22, 2021

ANALYSIS: By Yamin Kogoya in Brisbane When I ring home to West Papua, my village people often ask me about the rumours that they have heard, of an upcoming Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) meeting. They ask, “When is the MSG meeting?” and if West Papua will be accepted as a full member. I tell them ... <a title="West Papua unhappy over never-ending MSG membership tragedies" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2021/06/22/west-papua-unhappy-over-never-ending-msg-membership-tragedies/" aria-label="Read more about West Papua unhappy over never-ending MSG membership tragedies">Read more</a>

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Nine reasons why Jakarta has branded Papuan armed rebels as ‘terrorists’

June 14, 2021

By Benny Mawel in Jayapura The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) believes that the Indonesian government has nine motives behind the branding of National Liberation Army of West Papua as terrorists. Executive director Markus Haluk of ULMWP said this during a seminar and book discussion about Demanding Dignity, Papuans Are Punished in Jayapura ... <a title="Nine reasons why Jakarta has branded Papuan armed rebels as ‘terrorists’" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2021/06/14/nine-reasons-why-jakarta-has-branded-papuan-armed-rebels-as-terrorists/" aria-label="Read more about Nine reasons why Jakarta has branded Papuan armed rebels as ‘terrorists’">Read more</a>

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Melanesian Spearhead Group still backs Kanak decolonisation agenda

October 7, 2020

By RNZ Pacific The Melanesian Spearhead Group says it will continue to support the Kanak people in their quest for independence from France despite the “non” result of last Sunday’s referendum in New Caledonia. On Sunday, more than 53 percent of voters opted for the status quo, but the overall vote opting for independence was ... <a title="Melanesian Spearhead Group still backs Kanak decolonisation agenda" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2020/10/07/melanesian-spearhead-group-still-backs-kanak-decolonisation-agenda/" aria-label="Read more about Melanesian Spearhead Group still backs Kanak decolonisation agenda">Read more</a>