Latest news with #Melanesia
ABC News
17-07-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
History for Solomon Islands as they qualify for their first ever OFC Women's Nations Cup Final
The 2025 OFC Women's Nations Cup final will be an all Melanesian affair, with the defending champions Papua New Guinea taking on Solomon Islands who are through to the decider for the first time in their history. PNG made it to the final once again after a hard fought 2-1 semi-final win over the host nation Fiji, with all the goals coming in the first half. Post-match PNG's winning coach Ericson Ko-meng, was full of praise for his team's leaders, Ramona Padio and Marie Kaipu, while Fiji's Angeline Chua said her team could not have given any more. The second semi-final turned out to be a mirror image of the first, with Solomon Islands defeating Samoa 2-1 and again all the goals came before half-time. After the game Solomons' coach Moses Toata could not have been happier, and despite their loss Samoa's coach, Juan Chang Urea, sees a bright future ahead for his young team.
RNZ News
23-06-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Prime Minister Marape reinforces PNG's commitment at MSG
Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister, James Marape, arrived Sunday in Suva, Fiji, to attend the 23rd Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Leaders' Summit. Photo: Supplied Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister, James Marape, arrived Sunday in Suva, Fiji, to attend the 23rd Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Leaders' Summit. The summit, chaired by Fiji this year, brings together leaders from all Melanesian states and the FLNKS (Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front of New Caledonia) to address shared priorities such as climate action, trade, regional security, and decolonisation efforts. Prime Minister Marape is accompanied by the higher education minister, Feo Kinoka. His attendance underscores Papua New Guinea's commitment as a founding and senior member of the MSG, an organisation established in 1986 to strengthen political, economic, and cultural ties among Melanesian nations. Vanuatu has handed over its role as chairperson to Fiji. This transition preceded the formal opening of the MSG Leaders Plenary meeting and a closed-door Leaders' Retreat. Prime Minister Marape is expected to deliver Papua New Guinea's country statement, reaffirming the nation's dedication to strengthening MSG cooperation while reinforcing broader regional partnerships through the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). "The Pacific region stands at a crossroads. We must take a proactive approach to safeguarding our sovereignty, protecting our resources, and ensuring that our voices are heard on the global stage. Our collective efforts must also voice strongly against human rights abuses in our region and for respect for all our people and members of our Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), the Melanesian Spearhead Group community, and others." He is also anticipated to advocate for reforms within regional organisations to ensure they remain responsive, inclusive, and capable of meeting current and future development and security challenges. A significant aspect of Prime Minister Marape's engagement in Fiji includes high-level political talanoa consultations with the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) of the PIF. These discussions are taking place on the sidelines of the MSG Leaders' Meeting and are part of a wider regional effort led by the PIF to enhance Pacific solidarity and strategic cooperation. Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister, James Marape, arrived Sunday in Suva, Fiji, to attend the 23rd Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Leaders' Summit. Photo: Supplied The talanoa process will focus on critical issues such as regional security, climate change, fisheries resource management, political governance, national sovereignty, and the institutional reforms of both regional and sub-regional groupings in the Pacific. Prime Minister Marape has consistently called for a reformed and united Pacific architecture, and he is expected to advocate for stronger collaboration between MSG members and the wider Pacific community. He has emphasised the importance of regional ownership, institutional capacity-building, and ensuring that regional decision-making remains grounded in Pacific cultural values while embracing innovation, inclusion, and resilience. The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) is present at the MSG meeting as an observer, and there have been calls for West Papua to be included as a full member of the MSG. This ongoing discussion reflects a persistent aspiration for greater recognition and self-determination for West Papua within the Melanesian family. It is understood that Prime Minister Marape will also highlight his discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron on New Caledonia. These discussions typically centre on the decolonisation process in New Caledonia and the future of the FLNKS, which is a member of the MSG, reflecting a shared regional interest in the self-determination of the Kanak people.
RNZ News
19-06-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Bougainville and Papua New Guinea struggle to find common ground
Photo: Supplied The Bougainville Attorney-General says the autonomous region and the Papua New Guinea government may sign an agreement on the way ahead in their push for independence. A week of talks at Burnham Camp in New Zealand last week failed to produce a political agreement on implementing implement the outcome of the 2019 Bougainville Referendum. However, further talks, again mediated by former New Zealand Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae, are scheduled to go ahead next week. Former NZ Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae is the independent moderator appointed to mediate a political pathway between Bougainville and Papua New Guinea. 13 June 2025 Photo: Autonomous Bougainville Government Ezekiel Masatt told the Post-Courier that Bougainville "firmly rejected" PNG's renewed proposals for "free association" and "confederation". He added that the talks cannot progress constructively until the PNG government is willing to openly pronounce the word "independence." Bougainville put forward what it called a "Melanesian Solution" with the autonomous region being granted some sovereign powers immediately. Former Papua New Guinea MP, Sir John Kaputin, has called for the leaders of PNG to listen to Bougainville, and for the leaders of Bougainville to be serious about their duties on behalf of their people. Sir John was closely involved in the cease fire in Bougainville in 1998, after being appointed the special State negotiator by Sir Rabbie Namaliu. He has told the Post Courier this week that "It's a two-way thing that leaders of Bougainville must be serious about their leadership among our people and it's up for the National Government to listen to what they are proposing." he said. Former PNG chief secretary Isaac Lupari has called for caution on Bougainville's push for independence. He pointed out that the national constitution does not allow for any part of the country to secede. Lupari is quoted in the Post-Courier saying "the pathway for determining Bougainville's future is enshrined in our National Constitution which makes it clear that the decision-making authority in relation to the Bougainville referendum results rests with the National Parliament."
RNZ News
18-06-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Pro-independence advocates urge Melanesian Spearhead Group to elevate ULMWP membership
Indigenous Papuans at a rallying in Merauke, West Papua. Photo: Facebook / Sa Papua Two international organisations are leading a call for the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) to elevate the membership status of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) at their upcoming summit in Honiara in September. The collective led by International Parliamentarians for West Papua (IPWP) and International Lawyers for West Papua (ILWP) has again highlighted the urgent need for greater international oversight and diplomatic engagement in the West Papua Region. This influential group includes PNG's National Capital District governor Powes Parkop, UK's former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, and New Zealand's former Green Party MP Catherine Delahunty. The ULMWP currently holds observer status within the MSG, a regional body comprising Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front of New Caledonia. A statement by the organisations said upgrading the ULMWP's membership is "within the remit of the MSG" and requires a consensus among member states. They appeal to the Agreement Establishing the MSG, which undertakes to "promote, coordinate and strengthen…exchange of Melanesian cultures, traditions and values, sovereign equality…to further MSG members' shared goals of economic growth, sustainable development, good governance, peace, and security," considering that all these ambitions would be advanced by upgrading ULMWP membership. Photo: AFP/ Andrew Gal However, Indonesia's associate membership in the MSG, granted in 2015, has become a significant point of contention, particularly for West Papuan self-determination advocates. This inclusion is widely seen as a strategic maneuver by Jakarta to counter growing regional support for West Papuan independence. The ULMWP and its supporters consistently question why Indonesia, as the administering power over West Papua, should hold any status within a forum intended to champion Melanesian interests, arguing that Indonesia's presence effectively stifles critical discussions about West Papua's self-determination, creating a diplomatic barrier to genuine dialogue and accountability within the very body meant to serve Melanesian peoples. Given Papua New Guinea's historical record within the MSG, its likely response at the upcoming summit in Honiara will be characterised by a delicate balancing act. While PNG has expressed concerns regarding human rights in West Papua and supported calls for a UN Human Rights mission, it has consistently maintained respect for Indonesia's sovereignty over the region. Past statements from PNG leaders, including Prime Minister James Marape, have emphasised Indonesia's responsibility for addressing internal issues in West Papua and have noted that the ULMWP has not met the MSG's criteria for full membership. Further complicating the situation, the IPWP and ILWP report that West Papua remains largely cut off from international scrutiny. A strict ban on journalists entering the region means accounts of severe and ongoing human rights abuses often go unreported. The joint statement highlights a critical lack of transparency, noting that "very little international oversight" exists. A key point of contention is Indonesia's failure to honour its commitments; despite the 2023 MSG leaders' summit urging the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to conduct a human rights mission to West Papua before the 2024 summit, Indonesia has yet to facilitate this visit. The IPWP/ILWP statement says the continued refusal is a violation of its obligations as a UN member state.
RNZ News
05-06-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Vanuatu Citizenship Office hits back at Tate report
Photo: 123rf The Vanuatu Citizenship Office and Commission has hit back at a report from the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project on its golden passport scheme. The OCCRP report focused on citizenship granted to self-described misogynist influencer Andrew Tate after it was revealed he allegedly received a Vanuatu passport . A government spokesperson had told the ABC it was investigating the matter. "We're definitely looking into it and once we have the files, definitely the processes will be in place to revoke his citizenship," he said. In response, the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission chairman, Charles Maniel, told the Vanuatu Daily Post it can't carry out any revocation until allegations are proven by a court of law. Then, in a press statement responding to the OCCRP report, the Citizenship Office and Commission said Tate's application for Vanuatu citizenship was approved on 15 December 2022. It said the application was considered genuine, based on clearances from the Financial Intelligence Unit, Interpol, and UK police, his country of origin, at the time citizenship was granted. "The Vanuatu Citizenship Office and Commission reject the report issued by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), which claims that Mr. Tate was under high-profile investigation in the United Kingdom when applying for Vanuatu citizenship," the statement read. But the Vanuatu Daily Post reported that a spokesperson from OCCRP stated the Vanuatu citizenship commission's response to OCCRP's reporting was factually inaccurate. "Our reporting shows that Andrew Tate was granted Vanuatu citizenship while under criminal investigation by Romanian - not UK - authorities on rape and human trafficking charges," the spokesperson said. Andrew Tate talks to reporters outside the Court of Appeal on October 15, 2024 in Bucharest, Romania. Photo:via CNN Newsource "His Vanuatu passport was issued while he was in detention in a Romanian jail. This was covered in global media at the time and was publicly accessible information in Vanuatu." The Citizenship Office and Commission reiterated that, at the time Tate applied for Vanuatu citizenship, he submitted a clear police record. The authorities also noted that their designated agency, NXT Citizen, has remained compliant with the Citizenship Act and related regulations for over five years. But it said that "if there is sufficient evidence that Mr Tate has been convicted by a court of law" , the Commission will revoke his Vanuatu citizenship without delay. Meanwhile, Vanuatu's opposition leader says the government must immediately release the report from the Commission of Inquiry into the country's Citizenship Programme. The report was handed to the Justice Minister last week. Former prime minister Ishmael Kalsakau told the Vanuatu Daily Post the people deserve to know what has been uncovered. The Commission of inquiry, which ran for nearly a year, was investigating allegations of corrupt practices within the passport and citizenship schemes. Under the Development Support Program, applicants can be granted citizenship for a minimum investment of $US$130,000. Prime Minister Jotham Napat, through his public relations officer, said the standard procedure requires that the report must first be presented to the Council of Ministers. The Daily Post contacted a government minister, who confirmed the report was set to be presented to the Council this week. The passport programme has caused concern for some time. It has affected its visa-free access to the UK and to the European Parliament's Schengen area . The Daily Post reported the inquiry followed public outrage and claims of systemic abuse involving the sale of passports and misuse of the programme for personal and political gain. Kalsakau said making the findings public is essential for transparency and accountability.
