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
SPECIAL REPORT: By Yamin Kogoya The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) is like a big house or boat, says Reverend Dr Ambirek G. Socratez Yoman, owned by the people and the nation of West Papua. Upon this big boat rests prayers, hopes, longings, struggles, dreams, and ideals with a profound sense of justice, ... <a title="Yamin Kogoya: Rev Yoman’s message of hope and prayers for the Papuan dream in Vanuatu" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/08/23/yamin-kogoya-rev-yomans-message-of-hope-and-prayers-for-the-papuan-dream-in-vanuatu/" aria-label="Read more about Yamin Kogoya: Rev Yoman’s message of hope and prayers for the Papuan dream in Vanuatu">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>
CoveragePost
August 19, 2023
By Kelvin Anthony, RNZ Pacific lead digital and social media journalist The Pacific region’s focus will shift briefly to Port Vila next week when Vanuatu hosts the heads of governments from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and the leader of the FLNKS (Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front) of New Caledonia for the 22nd ... <a title="West Papua high on agenda as MSG leaders set to convene in Port Vila" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/08/19/west-papua-high-on-agenda-as-msg-leaders-set-to-convene-in-port-vila/" aria-label="Read more about West Papua high on agenda as MSG leaders set to convene in Port Vila">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 18, 2023
Jubi News Greenpeace Indonesia’s forest campaigner Nico Wamafma says the West Papua region has lost 641,400 ha of its natural forests in the two decades between 2000-2020 in massive deforestation. Greenpeace’s research shows this deforestation occurred mainly due to the increasingly widespread licensing of land-based extractive industries that damage the rights of indigenous peoples. Wamafma ... <a title="Massive deforestation in West Papua – Greenpeace reveals loss of 641,400 ha" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/08/18/massive-deforestation-in-west-papua-greenpeace-reveals-loss-of-641400-ha/" aria-label="Read more about Massive deforestation in West Papua – Greenpeace reveals loss of 641,400 ha">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 17, 2023
Asia Pacific Report A chilling new report by a German-based human rights watchdog has exposed indiscriminate attacks by Indonesian security forces on indigenous West Papuan villages, highlighting an urgent need for international action. The 49-page report, “Destroy Them First . . . Discuss Human Rights Later”, is an investigation of the Indonesian forces in the ... <a title="‘Harrowing’ details of Indonesian crackdown on Papuan villages exposed by new report" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/08/17/harrowing-details-of-indonesian-crackdown-on-papuan-villages-exposed-by-new-report/" aria-label="Read more about ‘Harrowing’ details of Indonesian crackdown on Papuan villages exposed by new report">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 14, 2023
Asia Pacific Report An Australian West Papuan solidarity group has condemned the reported arrest of 21 activists protesting in Jayapura over a “tragic day in history” and called on Canberra to urge Jakarta to restrain its security forces. The West Papuan National Committee (KNPB) activists were arrested at the weekend because they were handing out ... <a title="West Papuan solidarity group condemns arrest of 21 activists protesting 1962 ‘tragedy’" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/08/14/west-papuan-solidarity-group-condemns-arrest-of-21-activists-protesting-1962-tragedy/" aria-label="Read more about West Papuan solidarity group condemns arrest of 21 activists protesting 1962 ‘tragedy’">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 13, 2023
ANALYSIS: By Ravindra Singh Prasad In a historic first visit to an independent Pacific state by a sitting French president, President Emmanuel Macron has denounced a “new imperialism” in the region during a stop in Vanuatu, warning of a threat to the sovereignty of smaller states. But, earlier, during a two-day stop in France’s colonial ... <a title="Macron warns of ‘new colonialism’ in Pacific, but clings to French ‘colonies’" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/08/13/macron-warns-of-new-colonialism-in-pacific-but-clings-to-french-colonies/" aria-label="Read more about Macron warns of ‘new colonialism’ in Pacific, but clings to French ‘colonies’">Read more</a>