The Solomon Islands prime minister, Manasseh Sogavare, has assured a delegation from West Papua of his commitment to pushing for the region’s freedom from all forms of abuse and repression.
Mr Sogavare met with the eight-member delegation in his capacity as chair of the Melanesian Spearhead Group, which this year admitted the United Liberation Movement for West Papua as an observer.
He says West Papua’s admission as an observer is not the end, and he will continue to advocate for the West Papuans’ struggle.
Pointing to the decision of the Pacific Islands Forum to send a fact-finding mission to Papua, Mr Sogavare says the region must continue peaceful dialogue to find a lasting solution for West Papua.