by Ronald Toito’ona
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has confirmed that the Melanesian Spearhead Group’s (MSG) position on West Papua and the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) remains unchanged following the recent 23rd MSG Leaders Meeting in Suva, Fiji.
Speaking during a press conference in Honiara, the Prime Minister said Indonesia remains an associate member, while ULMWP continues to hold observer status.
“Both of them were at the meeting. They made their representations separately,” Manele stated.
In light of ongoing regional concerns, the Solomon Islands Prime Minister said the MSG will be reviewing its membership guidelines, including rules relating to associate members and observers.
PM Manele also reiterated the MSG’s founding principle of supporting decolonisation, with continued solidarity toward FLNKS and New Caledonia’s independence push.
“One of the main reasons for the establishment of the MSG was to spearhead the decolonisation process and political independence for New Caledonia. That commitment remains.”
On West Papua, PM Manele outlined that there are two core concerns – human rights violations and the issue of self-determination.
“In terms of human rights, we have the UN process that is there. The MSG position is the same as the forum (Pacific Islands Forum) — we would like Indonesia to work closely with the UN Human Rights Commission,” he said.
He confirmed that the UN Human Rights Commission has not yet visited Indonesia, despite previous requests.
It is understood that the MSG has long taken a careful approach in maintaining relations with both Indonesia and West Papua through ULMWP, while remaining committed to regional stability, human rights, and the principle of self-determination.
