MSG 22 - The Chapter Untold, Indonesian Deligation 'Panic Button', 2023 Official Communiques

The defining moment for ULMWP diplomacy in the region arrived, and Indonesia scrambled to validate itself amidst changing vocabulary on decolonization.

On Wednesday 23 August, 2023, the  22nd MSG Leaders Summit began its deliberations in Port Vila, Vanuatu. ULMWP, the umbrella organisation that unites three main pro - independence movement in West Papua was represented by its Chairman Benny Wenda. He was added during the meeting by other members of the ULMWP executive.

He took the podium. And, instantly the Indonesian delegation walked out, the defining moment of the ' Look East Dollar Diplomacy' captured live, and it  soon became viral on social media.

The protest against ULMWP and its agenda tells the story of failed decolonization of West Papua. It troubled Indonesia that all its efforts to stop the rise of ULMWP had been dimmed by the time MSG Leaders Summit 22 convened on Port Vila, Vanuatu.

West Papua Christian churches leader Rev Dr Socrates Nyoman analysed the drama.

 ' ULMWP Chairman Benny Wenda and all ULMWP officials, and also all the people  of West Papua are always united, standing firm, strong, steadfast and working hard in supporting the struggle for their right to self-determination.'

His article published on August 22, 2023,on his FB wall entitled, 

"Critical Analysis: SECONDS OF WAITING FOR FULL MEMBERSHIP IN THE MELANESIAN SPEARHEAD GROUP (MSG)".

According to him there were 4 possibilities that would happen on August 23, 2023 as the MSG Leaders Summit reached a decision on West Papua.

(1) ULMWP was accepted as a full member of the MSG on 24 August 2023.

 (2) Or the ULMWP is maintained and supported as an Observer in MSG but status escalated to Associate member or another category within the regional sub - regional political grouping.

(3) Indonesia as MSG Associate member of MSG will be compelled to allow the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit West Papua. 

4) If Indonesia does not allow the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to enter West Papua as resolved by PIF in 2019, then in the next 4 years ULMWP will in a position to legitimate its script on the roadmap to freedom through the momentum created in regional politics to  become a full member of the MSG.

Why? 

MSG is a sub-regional political grouping of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). The international best practice provides  that in the first instance 2019 PIF Communique must be implemented by the Government of Indonesia. 

There were 16 points that formed the MSG Leaders Summit 22 communique as it closed on 24 August, 2023.

 Point 12 of  the 16 points of the statement stated:

 "The 22nd MSG Leaders' Summit supports the Forum Leaders' call in 2019 for a visit by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to West Papua”

 Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape said:

 "regarding the issues raised in relation to West Papua...these issues will be dealt with at the [Pacific Islands Forum]".

 "Leaders from the Pacific will also visit Jakarta and Paris" to raise issues of sovereignty and human rights. 

In terms of political dynamics playing out, according to Rev Dr Nyoman  Indonesia will suffer the fate described by Yus Badudu in the book "Dictionary of Proverbs", due to two meanings of the sentence that refers to the evil. First, eating the fruit will bring harm any which way.

 Second, the proverb is a parable of someone who is faced with a tough choice because all of them bring misfortune. 

So, Indonesia must choose, does Indonesia invite the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to enter West Papua?

Or will Indonesia still refuse and not allow the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit West Papua?

The security approach to solving the West Papua issue lasting decades since 1960s places Indonesia in a big dilemma, namely if Indonesia allows the UN Human Rights Commission to visit West Papua there is a big risk for Indonesia. 

If Indonesia does not allow the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to enter West Papua, this is a smooth path for the MSG, PIF and ACP to bring the West Papua issue to a UN RESOLUTION most likely sponsored by Vanuatu  as a member state of PIF.

So far Indonesia set out to hinder the struggle for freedom by the people  of West Papua. Its prime target was ULMWP and the diplomatic option pursued since its birth in 2015.

"The Indonesian government has been lobbying, a costly exercise, to dampen the ULMWP diplomacy across the globe beginning with MSG, PIF, ACP and UN. 

' Indonesia cannot fool anyone, with stunts like a walk - out during MSG Leaders Summit 22.

' The massive funds to cover the trace of a struggle for freedom based on  truth, justice and human dignity demanded by the people of West Papua has gone to waste.'

The Christian church leader was confident the 22nd MSG Summit on August 22-23 translated a clear message to the international community.

Read. Here:

MSG leaders defer Papua membership decision to Forum

The leaders of five Melanesian countries and territories avoided a definitive update on the status of the United Liberation Movement of West Papua's application for full membership in Port Vila.

However, the 22nd Melanesian Spearhead Group Leaders' Summit was hailed as the "most memorable and successful" by Vanuatu's prime minister as leaders signed off on two new declarations in their efforts to make the sub-region more influential.

As well as the hosts, the meeting was attended by Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Fiji and the FLNKS of New Caledonia.

But the meeting had an anti-climactic ending after the leaders failed to release the details about the final outcomes or speak to media.

The first agreement that was endorsed is the Udaune Declaration on Climate Change to address the climate crisis and "urging countries not to discharge potentially harmful treated nuclear contaminated water into the Pacific Ocean".

"Unless the water treated is incontrovertibly proven, by independent scientists, to be safe to do and seriously consider other options," Vanuatu Prime Minister Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau said at the event's farewell dinner on Thursday.

The leaders also signed off on the Efate Declaration on Mutual Respect, Cooperation and Amity to advance security initiatives and needs of the Melanesian countries.

This document aims to "address the national security needs in the MSG region through the Pacific Way kipung, tok stori, talanoa, and storian and bonded by shared values and adherence to the Melanesian vuvale, cultures and traditions," Kalsakau said.

Kalsakau said the leaders "took complex issues such as climate change, denuclearisation, and human rights and applied collective wisdom" to address the issues that were on the table.

Passing on Papua

The issue of the United Liberation Movement of West Papua's membership was a big ticket item on the agenda at the meeting in Port Vila according to MSG chair Kalsakau.

However, there was no update provided on it and the leaders avoided fronting up to the media except for photo opportunities.

Benny Wenda at the 22 Melanesian Spearhead Group Leaders' Summit in Port Vila. 22 August 2023 Photo: RNZ Pacific / Kelvin Anthony

ULMWP leader Benny Wenda (above) told RNZ Pacific late on Thursday he was still not aware of the result of their membership application but that he was "confident" about it.

"I don't know the outcome. Maybe this evening the leaders will announce at the reception," Wenda said.

"From the beginning I have been confident that this is the time for the leaders to give us full membership so we can engage with Indonesia."

According to the MSG Secretariat the final communique is now expected to be released on Friday.

However, it is likely that the West Papua issue will be referred to the Pacific Islands Forum to be dealt with.

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape said after the signing: "on the issues that was raised in regards to West Papua…these matters to be handled at [Pacific Islands Forum]".

"The leaders from the Pacific will also visit Jakarta and Paris" to raise issues about sovereignty and human rights," he said.

Kalsakau said he looked forward to progressing the implementaiton of important issue recommendations from the 22nd MSG Leaders' Summit which also include "supporting the 2019 call by the Forum Leaders for a visit by the OHCHR to West Papua".

MSG leaders drink kava to mark the end of the meeting and signing two declarations. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Kelvin Anthony

Indonesia proud

Indonesia's Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Pahala Mansury, said Indonesia is proud to be part of the Melanesian family.

Indonesia is an associate member of MSG and have said they do not accept ULMWP's application to become a full member because it goes against the MSG's founding principles and charter.

During the meeting this week, Indonesian delegates walked out on occasions when ULMWP representatives made their intervention.

Some West Papua campaigners say these actions showed that Indonesia does not understand the Melanesian way.

"You just don't walk out of a sacred meeting haus when you're invited to be part of it," one observer said.

However, Mansury said Indonesia hopes to "continue to increase, enhance and strengthen future collaboration between Indonesia and all of the Melanesian countries".

"We are actually brothers and sisters of Melanesia and we hope we can continue to strengthen the bond together," he said.

Australia and China attended as special guests at the invitation of the Vanuatu government.

China supported the Vanuatu government to host the meeting.

Senior MSG official calls for sub-region to remain neutral in global power battle

Kelvin Anthony

Melanesian Spearhead Group Secretariat's director general Leonard Louma says the Pacific region continues to be the centre of geopolitical interests by global superpowers.

The 22nd MSG Leaders' Summit is taking place in Port Vila this week - the first full in-person meeting since the covid pandemic.

The prime ministers of Fiji, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and the president of the FLNKS of New Caledonia are confirmed to attend the leaders' session on Wednesday.

Louma said the battle for influence "impels the region to take sides, but it does not protect Melanesia and the region".

"There are some who would like us to believe that taking sides in that geopolitical posturing is in our best interest. May I hasten to add, I tend to defer, it is not in our best interest to take sides," Louma said

Senior MSG official calls for sub-region to remain neutral in global power battle

7:18 pm on 22 August 2023 

Kelvin Anthony, in Port Vila

@kelvinfiji kelvin.anthony@rnz.co.nz

Vanuatu's deputy prime minister Matai Seremaiah, left, and MSG director general Leonard Louma at the opening of the 22nd MSG Leaders's Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Port Vila. 21 August 2023Vanuatu's deputy prime minister Matai Seremaiah, left, and MSG director general Leonard Louma at the opening of the 22nd MSG Leaders's Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Port Vila. 21 August 2023 Photo: RNZ Pacific / Kelvin Anthony

Melanesian Spearhead Group Secretariat's director general Leonard Louma says the Pacific region continues to be the centre of geopolitical interests by global superpowers.

The 22nd MSG Leaders' Summit is taking place in Port Vila this week - the first full in-person meeting since the covid pandemic.

The prime ministers of Fiji, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and the president of the FLNKS of New Caledonia are confirmed to attend the leaders' session on Wednesday.

Louma said the battle for influence "impels the region to take sides, but it does not protect Melanesia and the region".

"There are some who would like us to believe that taking sides in that geopolitical posturing is in our best interest. May I hasten to add, I tend to defer, it is not in our best interest to take sides," Louma said.

MSG Leaders' Summit has a packed agenda duration4′ :05″ Playlist Download

MSG Leaders' Summit has a packed agenda

The director general also took aim at MSG member countries for not moving with "urgency" on issues that have been on the Leaders' Summit agenda.

"Certain decisions also made by leaders and the foreign ministers of past continue to languish on the shelf and there seems to be no real sign of a desire to implement."

Free trade

Louma said the MSG Free Trade Agreement has "somehow been tethered to other training and commercial arrangements".

"Our enthusiasm to cooperate appears to have waned. We need to rejuvenate this enthusiasm and appetite for industrial cooperation that once was the hallmark of MSG," said.

Vanuatu's Foreign Minister Matai Seremaiah has urged Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea to sign up to the trade agreement which has already been signed by Fiji and Solomon Islands.

Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau told RNZ Pacific he shared the concerns of his deputy on the issue of the free trade agreement.

"Vanuatu must adhere quickly. If you look at the theme of the meeting it's about being relevant and being relevant means that we've got got to participate as a core group so that we can advance all our interests together," he said.

Leonard Louma said the MSG needs to make concessions where it was needed in the interests of MSG cohesion.

"The nuclear testing issue in the Pacific could not have proceeded the way we had proceeded without MSG taking a strong position on it."

Declarations

On Monday, MSG Secretariat officials said there were up to 10 issues on the agenda, including West Papua.

In his opening statement at the Foreign Minister's session on Monday, Seremaiah said there were two key draft declarations that will be put for the leaders' consideration.

The first one will be one climate action and "urging polluters not to discharge the treated water in the Pacific Ocean," he said.

"Until and unless the treated water is incontrovertibly proven to be safe to do so and seriously consider other options."

The second is a declaration on MSG region of peace and neutrality, adding "this declaration is aimed at advancing the implementation of the MSG security initiatives to address national security needs in the MSG region, through the Pacific way, talanoa or tok stori and binded by shared values and adherence to Melanesian vuvale, cultures and traditions.

West Papua

This year's agenda also includes the issue of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua's application to become a full member of the sub-regional body.

The movement is present at the meeting, as well as a big delegation from Indonesia, represented by its vice minister for foreign affairs.

However, neither Seremaiah nor Louma made any mention of West Papua in their opening statements.

West Papua observers and advocates at the meeting say the MSG is like a "custom haus or nakamal" for the Melanesian people.

They say Vanuatu has the opportunity to make this more than a "normal MSG" if it can be the country that gets the MSG Leaders' Summit to agree to make the ULMWP a full member