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 5, 2023
By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor A Radio New Zealand journalist says an Indonesian government official attempted to bribe and intimidate him at last month’s 22nd Melanesian Spearhead Group leaders’ summit in Port Vila. The Indonesian government has responded yesterday saying it would “surely look” into the claims. RNZ journalist Kelvin Anthony was in Port ... <a title="Indonesia responds after claim official attempted to bribe RNZ Pacific journalist" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/09/05/indonesia-responds-after-claim-official-attempted-to-bribe-rnz-pacific-journalist/" aria-label="Read more about Indonesia responds after claim official attempted to bribe RNZ Pacific journalist">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 31, 2023
Asia Pacific Report An Australian advocacy group in support of West Papuan self-determination has criticised the Melanesian Spearhead Group leaders for failing to grant West Papua full membership in the organisation at last week’s summit in Port Vila. While praising Vanuatu Minister for Climate Change Adaptation Ralph Regenvanu for his public stance in support of ... <a title="West Papuan supporters ‘let down’ by MSG leaders, says advocate" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/08/31/west-papuan-supporters-let-down-by-msg-leaders-says-advocate/" aria-label="Read more about West Papuan supporters ‘let down’ by MSG leaders, says advocate">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 30, 2023
By Len Garae in Port Vila The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) has failed West Papua, says a Vanuatu government champion of West Papuan self-determination. Minister for Climate Change Adaptation Ralph Regenvanu, a former foreign minister and who is also a pioneer spokesman for freedom for the Melanesian people of West Papua, said this when delivering ... <a title="Sad Regenvanu condemns MSG for ‘failing’ people of West Papua" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/08/30/sad-regenvanu-condemns-msg-for-failing-people-of-west-papua/" aria-label="Read more about Sad Regenvanu condemns MSG for ‘failing’ people of West Papua">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>
CoveragePost
August 24, 2023
By Hilaire Bule in Port Vila Benny Wenda, the interim president of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), has welcomed the Melanesian Spearhead Group’s confirmation that its application for full membership would be discussed at the 22nd MSG Leaders’ Summit in Port Vila — but warned it would be a test. Wenda conveyed ... <a title="‘The world is watching’ – it’s a test for Melanesian leaders over West Papua, says Wenda" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/08/24/the-world-is-watching-its-a-test-for-melanesian-leaders-over-west-papua-says-wenda/" aria-label="Read more about ‘The world is watching’ – it’s a test for Melanesian leaders over West Papua, says Wenda">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 24, 2023
By Doddy Morris in Port Vila The 22nd Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Leaders’ Summit was declared open at the National Convention Centre in Port Vila yesterday with host Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau hailing opportunities to “galvanise our efforts as a United Melanesia”. Prime Minister Kalsakau welcomed all the delegations and said how happy and privileged ... <a title="MSG a ‘building block’ for stronger Pacific cooperation, says Kalsakau" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/08/24/msg-a-building-block-for-stronger-pacific-cooperation-says-kalsakau/" aria-label="Read more about MSG a ‘building block’ for stronger Pacific cooperation, says Kalsakau">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 23, 2023
By Kelvin Anthony, RNZ Pacific journalist in Port Vila The leader of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), Benny Wenda, has expressed confidence that the leaders’ meeting in Vanuatu will grant the ULMWP full membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group. Wenda is in Port Vila for the 22nd MSG Leaders’ Summit, the first ... <a title="Benny Wenda says dream of MSG full membership ‘will happen’ in Port Vila" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/08/23/benny-wenda-says-dream-of-msg-full-membership-will-happen-in-port-vila/" aria-label="Read more about Benny Wenda says dream of MSG full membership ‘will happen’ in Port Vila">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 23, 2023
By Kelvin Anthony, RNZ Pacific journalist in Port Vila The Melanesian Spearhead Group Secretariat’s Director-General, Leonard Louma, says the Pacific region continues to be the centre of geopolitical interests by global superpowers. The 22nd MSG Leaders’ Summit is taking place in Port Vila this week– the first full in-person meeting since the covid pandemic. The ... <a title="Senior MSG official calls for Melanesia to remain neutral in geopolitical battle" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/08/23/senior-msg-official-calls-for-melanesia-to-remain-neutral-in-geopolitical-battle/" aria-label="Read more about Senior MSG official calls for Melanesia to remain neutral in geopolitical battle">Read more</a>