“Papua New Guinea as the biggest Melanesian country has the biggest potential and influence to help West Papua in their quest for freedom.”
This was stated by the United Liberation Movement for West Papua spokesperson Mr Raki Ap.
“PNG is the biggest country in Melanesia and if we combine West Papua and PNG together, we will change the geopolitics.”
Mr Ap added this in the interest of Melanesia and in the interest of the Pacific.
“Therefore, we need courage, dignity and integrity from our leaders to stand together and raise one voice for a free West Papua.”
Ap further added that it is ironic that International News agencies are reporting daily about the War in Ukraine, and Europe as the former colonizer is doing everything to support the people of Ukraine with support through military, money, and diplomacy all in the name of Peace to stop war in Ukraine.
“However, it is an incredibly sad scenario that for the last 60years no media is allowed to go in and report on the day-to-day genocide that has been happening for over 60 years even up till now.”
“More than 540,000 West Papuans have been killed over 60 years of Indonesian colonial rule, and as a result of an escalation in Indonesian militarization, as of April 2024, over 76,000 West Papuans remained displaced.”
“All Melanesian leaders must have courage, dignity, and integrity, and the first thing they can do for West Papua is to allow the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, chaired by President Benny Wenda to become a full member in the Melanesian Spear Head Group.”
Mr Ap added that this is because when all Melanesian countries do not want to talk about all the sensitive issues affecting the people of West Papua, the West Papuans themselves can talk about it through the ULMWP.
“Give us a space on the table so that we can confront Indonesia directly and defend our positions as Melanesians.”
This is the most modest and simple thing the leaders of the Melanesian countries can do for the people of West Papua said Ap.