21 Apr 2015

West Papuan leader visits Solomon Islands

5:43 am on 21 April 2015

The general secretary of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua has been in Solomon Islands to lobby support for his organisation's bid to join the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

United Liberation Movement for West Papua secretary-general Octo Mote.

United Liberation Movement for West Papua secretary-general Octo Mote. Photo: Supplied

The movement has lodged its membership application to the MSG, which will be deliberated on when MSG leaders meet at their summit in Honiara in July this year.

The Solomon Star reports that Octo Mote met civil society groups, West Papua sympathisers and political leaders, telling them that the support of everyone is important for advancing the MSG bid.

One of those who met with Mr Mote was the West Makira MP, Derick Manu'ari, an advocate for West Papuan independence.

Mr Manu'ari says that he's intending to move a motion on the floor of parliament seeking support from national leaders for the West Papuan self-determination cause.