Papua Merdeka Is Not a Sovereign State

Papua Merdeka Is Not a Sovereign State

Papua Nuginia Ambassador, Commodore (Ret) Peter Ilau, DMS, CBE said, the Struggle of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) to Incorporate the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) into the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) members would be futile. . Because OPM and also ULMWP are not a sovereign country, OPM or ULMWP automatically do not meet membership requirements in the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).

"The MSG in its charter is very clear in saying that anyone who wants to become a member must be a sovereign state. (Pro-independence movements in West Papua) West Papua is not a sovereign country so it automatically does not qualify for membership in the MSG, "Ambassador Peter Ilau said.

The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) is an international organization consisting of four countries in Melanesia, namely Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, and the Kanak National Liberation Front from New Caledonia. This international organization whose existence is more ethnic Melanesian (hereditary) ethnic influence is quite strong. The Indonesian government under President Jokowi seems to see and also consider the MSF strategy.

So that in June 2015 Indonesia was accepted as a partner member. Indonesia's entry into MSG is also of course after the MSG thinking that Indonesia is a country that is also inhabited by Melanesian descendants such as residents of East Nusa Tenggara, residents in Maluku and residents of Papua as a whole. According to Ambassador Peter Ilau in the MSG there is indeed the National Child Liberation Front in New Caledonia which is not a sovereign state.

"But Kanak from New Caledonia is a special case because the French government gave Kanak support to become a member of MSG. Like the Indonesian government providing support for West Papua, which may never have happened. But there are cases for Kanak (which is accepted by MSG) and Kanak is supported by the French government. That is why they are members and in the MSG charter it is very clear: You have to be a sovereign and independent country to become a member of the MSG, "said Peter Ilau.

To be known as background, the Papuan separatist group, which is a member of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua as well as the OPM, failed to become a full member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group at the Summit which took place in Honiara, Solomon Islands, Thursday, July 14, 2016 ago. This dispelled the movement's hopes of being recognized as a member of a group of countries in the Pacific islands.