CoveragePost
May 17, 2024
Asia Pacific Report Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai — who is also Chairman of the Melanesian Spearhead Group — has reaffirmed MSG’s support of the pro-independence umbrella group Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) stance opposing the French government’s constitutional bill “unfreezing” the New Caledonia Electoral Roll. It is also opposed to the proposed ... <a title="Vanuatu, MSG chief reaffirms support for FLNKS, blames France over unrest" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/05/17/vanuatu-msg-chief-reaffirms-support-for-flnks-blames-france-over-unrest/" aria-label="Read more about Vanuatu, MSG chief reaffirms support for FLNKS, blames France over unrest">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
September 28, 2023
By Charley Piringi in Honiara The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) has adopted a fresh approach in addressing the longstanding and sensitive West Papuan issue, says Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare. Upon his return yesterday from the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York last week, he clarified to local media about why he ... <a title="Sogavare hails ‘new approach’ on West Papua – Wale calls PM ‘Judas’" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/09/28/sogavare-hails-new-approach-on-west-papua-wale-calls-pm-judas/" aria-label="Read more about Sogavare hails ‘new approach’ on West Papua – Wale calls PM ‘Judas’">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
September 11, 2023
RNZ Pacific Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has backtracked on his comments that PNG had “no right to comment” on human rights abuses in West Papua and has offered a clarification to “clear misconceptions and apprehension”. Last week, Marape met Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the sidelines of the 43rd ASEAN summit in ... <a title="PNG leader Marape denies Papua human rights comments were his" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/09/11/png-leader-marape-denies-papua-human-rights-comments-were-his/" aria-label="Read more about PNG leader Marape denies Papua human rights comments were his">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
September 8, 2023
RNZ Pacific Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has told Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo that PNG has no right to criticise Jakarta over what he calls alleged human rights abuses in West Papua. The two leaders spoke on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Jakarta, reaffirming commitments to maintain dialogue to build stronger ... <a title="Marape claims PNG has ‘no right’ to criticise abuses in West Papua" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/09/08/marape-claims-png-has-no-right-to-criticise-abuses-in-west-papua/" aria-label="Read more about Marape claims PNG has ‘no right’ to criticise abuses in West Papua">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
September 3, 2023
Pacific Media Watch Vanuatu Daily Post civil society correspondents have written in unison condemning the failure of the Melanesian Spearhead Group to admit West Papua as full members of the organisation at last month’s leaders’ summit in Port Vila. The Australia West Papua Association (AWPA) says that “it’s tragic that the MSG leaders did not ... <a title="Letters on West Papua – ‘united voices for justice will not be silenced’" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/09/03/letters-on-west-papua-united-voices-for-justice-will-not-be-silenced/" aria-label="Read more about Letters on West Papua – ‘united voices for justice will not be silenced’">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
September 1, 2023
An Australian academic has lit the fuse of diplomatic fury by publicly criticising Indonesia’s brutal response to the Papuan independence movement, a sensitive topic for governments of both countries. Duncan Graham reports from Indonesia on the silent war to the north. ANALYSIS: By Duncan Graham An Australian academic is risking an eruption of diplomatic fury ... <a title="The silent war – Australia and Indonesia mum on Papuan human right abuses" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/09/01/the-silent-war-australia-and-indonesia-mum-on-papuan-human-right-abuses/" aria-label="Read more about The silent war – Australia and Indonesia mum on Papuan human right abuses">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 31, 2023
By Kelvin Anthony, RNZ Pacific lead digital and social media journalist The leaders of five Melanesian nations have agreed to write to French President Emmanuel Macron “expressing their strong opposition” to the results of the third New Caledonia referendum. In December 2021, more than 96 percent of people voted against full sovereignty, but the pro-independence ... <a title="MSG leaders back Kanak challenge to Macron over ‘not valid’ referendum" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/08/31/msg-leaders-back-kanak-challenge-to-macron-over-not-valid-referendum/" aria-label="Read more about MSG leaders back Kanak challenge to Macron over ‘not valid’ referendum">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 29, 2023
Asia Pacific Report In spite of again being denied full membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group, the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) has welcomed the call from the MSG Leaders’ Summit in Port Vila last week for Indonesia to allow the long-awaited visit of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to West ... <a title="Wenda welcomes MSG call for UN visit and fights on for full membership" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/08/29/wenda-welcomes-msg-call-for-un-visit-and-fights-on-for-full-membership/" aria-label="Read more about Wenda welcomes MSG call for UN visit and fights on for full membership">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 28, 2023
Asia Pacific Report The United Liberation Movement for West Papua has responded cautiously over the Melanesian Spearhead Group’s surprise denial of full membership at its leaders summit last week, welcoming the communique while calling for urgent action over Indonesia’s grave human rights violations. In a statement released today by President Benny Wenda after the second ... <a title="Wenda calls on MSG for urgent action to back pledge over human rights" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/08/28/wenda-calls-on-msg-for-urgent-action-to-back-pledge-over-human-rights/" aria-label="Read more about Wenda calls on MSG for urgent action to back pledge over human rights">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 27, 2023
Asia Pacific Report A West Papuan leader has condemned the Melanesian Spearhead Group for abandoning the West Papuan cause in favour of a “corrupt alliance” with Indonesia. Jeffrey P Bomanak, chairman of the Free Papua Organisation (OPM), declared last week’s MSG Leaders’ Summit ruling on West Papua a “betrayal” of the Papuan people and called ... <a title="OPM accuses Melanesian group of taking Jakarta’s ‘blood money’ at expense of West Papuan justice" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/08/27/opm-accuses-melanesian-group-of-taking-jakartas-blood-money-at-expense-of-west-papuan-justice/" aria-label="Read more about OPM accuses Melanesian group of taking Jakarta’s ‘blood money’ at expense of West Papuan justice">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 26, 2023
By David Robie, editor of Asia Pacific Report The Melanesian Spearhead Group has thrown away a golden chance for achieving a historical step towards justice and peace in West Papua by lacking the courage to accept the main Papuan self-determination advocacy movement as full members. Membership had been widely expected across the Pacific region and ... <a title="MSG throws away golden chance to reset peace and justice for West Papua" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/08/26/msg-throws-away-golden-chance-to-reset-peace-and-justice-for-west-papua/" aria-label="Read more about MSG throws away golden chance to reset peace and justice for West Papua">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 25, 2023
By Doddy Morris in Port Vila Melanesian prime ministers have have signed off two declarations addressing the pressing issues of climate crisis and national security. The ceremonial signing took place at the Havannah Resort in North Efate yesterday, marking the culmination of the 22nd Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Leaders’ Summit Retreat. The signatories included host ... <a title="Melanesian leaders sign security and climate crisis declarations" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/08/25/melanesian-leaders-sign-security-and-climate-crisis-declarations/" aria-label="Read more about Melanesian leaders sign security and climate crisis declarations">Read more</a>
