Thousands protest in Port Vila against Indonesia membership of MSG

Thousands of people took to the streets of Port Vila today in Vanuatu to demand the removal of Indonesia's membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).

Indonesia is an associate member of the group whose membership includes Fiji, FLNKS of New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

Reports from Port Vila say the peaceful march was organised by the chiefs and churches in Vanuatu in support of the people of West Papua.

More than 5,000 people signed a petition to remove Indonesia and include the United Liberation Movement for West Papua as an observer to the sub-regional group.

PACNEWS was told some members of Parliament and Cabinet joined the march in support of West Papua. A petition was presented to the MSG Secretariat in Port Vila at the end of the peaceful demonstration.

Meanwhile, the MSG Special Leaders Summit scheduled for early next month has been postponed.

PACNEWS understands the meeting has been rescheduled to June this year to discuss among other things the appointment of the disputed position of Director General. Fijian diplomat, Amena Yauvoli has already signed his contract as Director General.

SOURCE; PACNEWS