SIG TO APPOINT SPECIAL ENVOY ON WEST PAPUA
General-Secretary for the United Liberation Movement for West Papua Octovianus Mote with local supporters in Honiara. Photo credit: SIBC.
The Solomon Islands Government will appoint a Special Envoy on West Papua and seek West Papua’s admission to the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (SPC).
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare revealed this in a meeting with the Secretary General of the United Liberation Movement of West Papua(ULMWP), Octovanius Mote last Friday.
Mr Mote thanked the Prime Minister for his ‘splendid’ leadership during the recent Melanesia Spearhead Group Leaders Summit in Honiara and the push for ULMWP’s admission to the MSG.
He updated Prime Minister Sogavare in his capacity as Chair of the MSG on events that preceded the admission of ULMWP as Observer Member of the MSG.
Meanwhile, Mr Mote also conveyed the confidence of the ULMWP and the people of West Papua in Prime Minister Sogavare’s leadership as Chair of the MSG.
In his response, Prime Minister Sogavare said West Papua remains at the heart of his government and will stand by ULMWP and West Papuans in their fight for international recognition.
He adds, the Solomon Islands Government under the leadership of DCCG will appoint a Special Envoy on West Papua and will also seek its admission to the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.