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Melanesian Solidarity for Decolonisation
Vanuatu Daily Post - October 4, 2016
"The objective of the summit was to revisit and strengthen Melanesian identity, culture, languages, heritage and ethnic and to hear from the solidarity movement of what is happening on the ground in the MSG countries in regards to supporting Decolonization processes for members of our Melanesian family still facing colonization especially the case of West Papua," the Murray Centre Communique read.
The Summit was opened by Pastor Alan Nafuki, Chairman of the Vanuatu Free West Papua Association who is also the Chairman of the Vanuatu Christian Council.
He explained in his opening address that the struggle of the Vanuatu decolonization process and the involvement of the Church and the significance of the name and meaning of Vanuatu as "the land raising" which came from a Chief involved in the conference to determine post-independence of Vanuatu.
In his spiritual reflection, Pastor Nafuki reminded the meeting that, as Melanesians we have the power of faith in Jesus and not money. In the same way, Pastor Nafuki said, West Papua will one day be free because of Jesus.
The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Rene Sore, Secretary to the MSG Chairman who is the Solomon Islands Prime Minister. He reaffirmed that the positions of the MSG members – Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, and Kanaky Government in support of the West Papua struggle for Independence remains firm.
Representatives of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) confirmed that West Papuans both from inside and outside are united in support of ULMWP as the true and rightful Leaders for their struggle for self-determination and Independence.
The ULMWP representatives strongly urged that MSG granted full membership to ULMWP which will further gain international recognition of their cause.
The Summit received reports of initiatives in Vanuatu, West Papua, Fiji, Kanaky, PNG and Solomon Islands undertaken by the Solidarity Movements and the Civil Society Sector.
In his brief remarks during the signing of the Murray Centre Communique yesterday afternoon, the Chair of the Summit, Pastor Nafuki, said he was proud of the 3-day summit which he described as successful. It will be presented shortly to the MSG Leaders in Port Vila he said.
He also said that the MSG Chairman, the Solomon Islands Prime Minister is expected to arrive in Vanuatu today, but the Daily Post could not get comment from the Government authorities on this at the time of going to press.
Pastor Nafuki said every MSG Leaders will receive copies of the Communique while at the same time expressed his disappointment for what he termed "ongoing delay for an MSG Meeting to discuss the West Papua issue and full membership application into the MSG".
However, he is thankful to the present Vanuatu Government support towards the West Papua constant call for full membership recognition into the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG). He expressed his appreciation to the Government, and the people of Vanuatu at all levels for continues support and prayers for West Papuan Melanesian People.
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