General-Secretary for the United Liberation Movement for West Papua Octovianus Mote with local supporters in Honiara. Photo credit: SIBC.
Solomon Islands must support West Papua’s application to join the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) as it will create an avenue for the sub-regional group to seriously address the plight of West Papuans.
The General Secretary of the West Papua United Liberation Movement Mr. Octovianus Mote made this comment in an exclusive interview with SIBC News this week.
“Once we become a member of the MSG, the MSG leaders actually creates the venue or place where Indonesia and West Papua can sit together to think about what is the best way to solve the West Papua issue.”
He adds West Papua must join the MSG because it will be the beginning of a lasting peace process in West Papua and also hope for West Papua to gain political Independence.
“We will not get independence right away but this is a starting point and to create peace in West Papua. Once peace is created it will be important for Papua New Guinea and entire Melanesia.”
