Vanuatu has reconfirmed its support for New Caledonia's and West Papua's decolonisation.
The Prime Minister, Joe Natuman, has told a heads of mission meeting in Efate that Vanuatu is committed to assist the two colonised Melanesian people to gain their independence.
Vanuatu supports West Papua Photo: RNZI / Hilaire Bule
Vanuatu is the only country to back the two pro-independence movements in the French territory and the Indonesian province.
Mr Natuman has asked the ambassador of Vanuatu at the United Nations, Odo Tevi, to assist with New Caledonia's self-determination at the UN Committee of 24 in the lead-up to a referendum on possible independence due within three years.
Last year, the previous Vanuatu prime minister addressed the UN, asking why the world was turning a blind eye and closing its ears to the lone voices of the Papuan people, many of whom have shed innocent blood because they want justice and freedom.
