West Papua hopeful for full membership

solomonstarnews.com, Published: 13 July 2016

Indonesian province of West Papua is hopeful to see their full membership plea in the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), advance during this 4th Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) summit hosted in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

Speaking to the media yesterday spokesperson for the United Liberation Movement for West Paupua (ULMWP) Benny Wenda said they are optimistic to see the struggle of their people advance to the next level, within the MSG.

He said their ongoing campaign and struggle for support from the Melanesian countries and the pacific will help them advance their membership status in the MSG, which is fundamental to their wish to become an independent state.

ULMWP acquired their observer status in MSG last year during the MSG meeting held in Honiara, thus they are hopeful to see their status in this sub-regional organisation advanced to full membership.

Wenda stressed their struggle is not for them but for the future generation of West Papua, who will be free from brutality and bloodshed continued to be suffered on the hands of the Indonesian military.

By AATAI JOHN