The French Special Envoy and New Caledonia officials have reached an agreement on the Troika Mission Terms of Reference (TOF), which will be presented at the Pacific Island Forum Leaders Retreat, according to Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. He noted that the TOF was sent to Paris for approval and is scheduled to be introduced later today at the retreat taking place in Vava’u, Tonga.
In related developments, members of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) convened on Tuesday night to discuss and formulate unified strategies to present to the Pacific Island Forum leaders this week, with plans to finalize these discussions during the retreat. Fiji’s High Commissioner to New Zealand, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, represented Fiji at the meeting.
MSG chair and Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai emphasized the ongoing concern for the welfare and interests of Melanesians in West Papua and other provinces in Indonesia. He urged the Secretariat to maintain communication with Indonesian authorities to facilitate a meeting between MSG leaders and the Indonesian President in a timely manner.
The meeting agenda included various issues set to be discussed at the Pacific Island Forum, with some matters being specific to the MSG. Salwai also highlighted that the unrest in New Caledonia remains a significant concern for the MSG. “No other grouping in the PIF has invested so much time, effort, and resources on this issue than the MSG,” he stated.
He reaffirmed that the MSG should take a leading role in addressing this issue, as the affected indigenous Kanaks are members of the MSG. Additionally, he stressed the importance of pursuing the MSG Leaders Dialogue with the President of Indonesia as a significant project.