The Melanesian Spearhead Group Special Leaders Summit scheduled to be held in Port Vila next week has been postponed.
The Vanuatu Daily Post reports that a date is yet to be confirmed, although provisional dates are from May 30 to June 3, depending on the availability and commitments of the Leaders.
The MSG summit had been expected to formalise the appointment of a new director-general for the sub-regional grouping's Port Vila-based secretariat.
However two MSG members, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, have objected to the anouncement by the MSG chair, Solomon Islands prime minister Manasseh Sogavare, that the Fiji diplomat Amena Yauvoli had been selected for the role.
Fiji's prime minister Frank Bainimarama subsequently announced he would miss the summit to instead attend the Queen's birthday celebrations in Britain.
West Papuan activist Paula Makabori looks at Fiji leader Frank Bainimarama. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades
The summit was also expected to focus on discussion about West Papua.
While the United Liberation Movement for West Papua was last year granted observer status in the MSG, Indonesia has been lobbying the full members of the group to be granted full membership status.
Jakarta recently claimed to have the backing of Fiji and PNG's governments for full membership.
However Vanuatu's government, led by Charlot Salwai, is pushing for Indonesia's current associate membership status in the group to be cancelled.
It is also backing a bid for the Liberation Movement to be elevated to full membership status.
Hundreds of ni-Vanuatu, and West Papuan representatives, march to the Melanesian Spearhead Group secretariat in Port Vila. Photo: Joe Collins
This morning hundreds of ni-Vanuatu, and some West Papuan representatives, participated in a march to the MSG secretariat in Port Vila.
They delivered a petition signed by thousands asking the MSG to grant full membership to the United Liberation Movement for West Papua.
