WEST PAPUA IS MELANESIA, INDONESIA IS NOT!
There are several arguments that can be made regarding why West Papua should be part of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG). It’s important to note that West Papua is not currently a member of the PIF, the UN due to the fact that it is not considered an independent state, and the fact that Indonesia would not allow it to become part of any regional organization. So far, Jakarta had spent such an incredible amount of money to silence and chill support for West Papua in the Pacific regional, particularly in the Melanesian bloc. However, the case for West Papuan inclusion in the MSG can be made based on the following points:
West Papua Melanesia
Melanesia is an ethno-geographic group of Islands with shared customs, cultural beliefs and practices, whose ancestors occupied their Islands tens of thousands of years before the arrival of European and Asian colonial powers. These indigenous group of people are of the same race. The name “Melanesia was derived from the Greek melas ‘black’ and nesoi ‘islands’ because of the dark skin of its inhabitants.” The unique physical complexions or features of these Melanesians separate them from their Micronesian and Polynesian cousins in the Pacific. They also distinguished them from their Indonesian settlers who were brought to West Papua after 1969. In fighting to gain control of West Papua in the 1950s and 1960s, the Indonesian government lambasted the Netherlands of colonial oppression, only to turn West Papua into its own colonial outpost with tremendous brutality never been seen even in the occupation of West Papua by the Netherlands.
Melanesian Spearhead Group Founding Principles:
The MSG’s founding principles are fundamental to West Papua’s eligibility to become members of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG). The first principle of the founding of MSG is “decolonization of Melanesian colonized people.”
The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) was established during an informal meeting held in Goroka, Papua New Guinea on 17 July 1986 which was attended by the Prime Ministers of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu as well as a representative of the Front de Liberational the Nationale Kanak et Solcialiste (FLNKS) of New Caledonia. The meeting followed these Leaders’ vision, backed by a strong and shared political desire, for the entire decolonization and freedom of Melanesian countries and territories which were still under colonial rule in the South Pacific, thereby developing a stronger cultural, political, social and economic identity and link between the people and communities of Melanesia. MSG
All the Melanesian countries – Vanuatu (independent from Britain and France in 1980), Solomon Islands (declared independence in 1978), Papua New Guinea (independence since 1975), and Fiji (independent from Britain in 1970) were all former colonies of Britain, Australia, and France. FLNKS, which was invited for the founding meeting in Port Moresby, PNG, is still under the colonial authority of France. Based on this founding principle of decolonization, West Papua is qualified to become a full member of the MSG.
West Papuan brief history
West Papua was annexed by Indonesia in 1969 through the help of the United Nations, and have been struggling for their self-determination since then. However, ethnically and linguistically, West Papuans are Melanesian going back tens of thousands of years before the arrival of the European and Asian colonizers, and for this reason alone, MSG must consider West Papua in its upcoming meeting. They cannot ignore their application to become a permanent member of the only Melanesian organization in this world.
Regional Stability
West Papua is the Pacific’s gateway to Asia. It membership in the MSG would be crucial to stability in the region, because as long as indigenous West Papuans are hunted down by Indonesian soldiers as terrorists, there will be no peace. The war for independence in West Papua; the constant struggle of indigenous West Papuans, will soon spill over to the region. And the failure of the MSG to honor its ‘decolonization’ of all Melanesian occupied lands, have contributed to the destruction of the Melanesian culture and people of West Papua. The only answer to regional peace in Western Melanesia is the ultimate recognition of West Papua as a legitimate Melanesian people with all the right to join the MSG and eventually the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). And the ultimate recognition of the independent Republic of West Melanesia.
While MSG must walk a fine line between their economic interests and relationship with Asia – particularly Indonesia, it is important also to recognize that the issue of West Papua is a Melanesian issue not an internal issue – a claim Indonesian successfully planted in the MSG leadership. It is true that the issue is a complex and politically sensitive issue given the Indonesian effort to keep West Papua at all cost. However, it is imperative that MSG lives up to its obligation to “decolonization” and avoid playing word games with West Papua. West Papua is a colonized Melanesian land, and by virtue of the MSG founding principles – as stated above, are qualified to become member of that organization. If West Papua isn’t qualified, why are FLNX and Indonesia members of this organization? What are the justification for their members, or the criteria they satisfied that West Papuans didn’t? Besides West Papua, there are no other Melanesians in Indonesia. All other ethnic groups within Indonesia have Asian roots.
We urge the leadership of the MSG to consider West Papua as a permanent member of the only Melanesian organization in the world in its upcoming meetings. We are certain that there are many compromises and accommodations that can be reached between Indonesia, the MSG, and West Papua, but it is unfair and cruel for the MSG to willingly and knowingly sideline or ignore West Papua as if they don’t exist. The struggle of West Papua for self-determination is the struggle of all Melanesian people, and certainly the struggle of MSG too. Decolonization must not be selectively applied. It must be applied to all Melanesians, wherever they are. We fully support the FLNKS’ membership of MSG, and we support all Melanesians, but West Papuans cannot be rejected because MSG leaders have been bought off. It is time to put that charter into action!