From Radio New Zealand International

Today in Papua New Guinea’s capital, the Melanesian Unified Front for West Papuan Self-Determination, or WUF, is to host a public forum on the West Papuan bid for membership in the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

The forum, at the Port Moresby campus of the University of PNG, is jointly arranged by the University’s West Papuan Students Association.

WUF says it’s initiating a series of activities to promote awareness about West Papuans in the neighbouring Indonesian territory and their bid for self-determination.

The MSG is currently considering a membership application by the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation.

WUF is urging Papua New Guineans to support the unconditional inclusion of West Papua within the MSG forum, which it says is long-overdue.

The group says it is now a matter of utmost urgency that the heritage and identity of West Papuans as a Melanesian people is promoted within the forum of the MSG.