The Troika Mission’s Terms of Reference (TOF) have been finalized by the French Special Envoy and officials from New Caledonia and will be presented at the Pacific Island Forum Leaders’ Retreat, according to Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.
Rabuka stated that the TOF was sent to Paris for approval and is set to be discussed later today at the retreat in Vava’u, Tonga.
In related developments, members of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) convened on Tuesday evening to strategize and prepare common points for the Pacific Island Forum leaders’ discussions expected later this week, specifically at today’s retreat.
Fiji’s High Commissioner to New Zealand, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, represented Fiji at this gathering.
MSG chair and Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai emphasized the ongoing issues concerning the welfare and rights of Melanesians in West Papua and other regions in Indonesia. He stressed the importance of the Secretariat maintaining communication with Indonesian authorities to facilitate meetings between all MSG leaders and the Indonesian President at the earliest opportunity.
The agenda included various topics, with some specifically relevant to the MSG. Salwai also highlighted the unrest in New Caledonia as an ongoing concern for the MSG.
“No other group in the PIF has dedicated as much time, effort, and resources to this matter as the MSG,” he stated. Salwai asserted that the MSG must take the lead on this issue, noting that the indigenous peoples involved, particularly the Kanaks, are members of the MSG.
He underscored the significance of the MSG Leaders Dialogue with the President of Indonesia as a crucial initiative that needs to be pursued.