Tuesday, December 12, 2017

BREAKING NEWS: VANUATU PLUNGES DEEPER INTO CRISIS!

MPs MOVED A MOTION OF NO CONFIDENCE IN PM SALWAI CITING CORRUPTION, INCOMPETENCE AND SYSTEMIC GOVERNANCE FAILURE

Port Vila, Vanuatu
ABCMelanesia


PM Charlot Salwai (L) and Leader of the Opposition Ishmael Kalsakau (Photo courtesy of Facebook)


In another sign of the deepening of government crisis in Vanuatu, nine members of parliament formally lodged a motion of no confidence in Prime Minister Charlot Salwai and his government.

The Leader of Opposition, Ishmael Kalsakau initiated the move and seconded by Deputy Leader of Opposition, Fred Tasso.


The Vanuatu Daily Post reported that the motion strongly argues the following six reasons for the loss of trust in the beleaguered PM:

1. The signing of the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus; against the will of backbenchers, MPs and the private sector; 2. The possible introduction of Income Tax;

3. The failure by the Government to implement the Decentralisation Policy supported by the majority of the MPs;

4. The Prime minister’s tolerance of incompetence by the government ministers;

5. The PM’s tolerance of corruption within government; and

6. The PM’s tolerance of outstanding government revenue, totaling over Vt4 billion.

This motion is the second in one year, the last was moved on 8 December 2016.

The signatories of the motion are: Santo Rural MP, Samson Samsen; Efate Rural MPs, Joshua Kalsakau and Norris Kalmet; Port Vila MP, Ephraim Kalsakau; Malekula MPs, Sato Kilman and Don Ken; and Epi MP Isaac Tongoliu.

This political crisis comes on the heels of a string of incidents and events that put PM Salwai's judgments into question. These include deeply embarrassing the Pope, cases of corruption in humanitarian aids, sponsoring a group with known criminal record and intent of invading provinces of a sovereign country, and threatening countries in the region.

In November, PM Salwai caused a diplomatic incident when he was found to have lied to His Holiness Pope Francis in an audience at the Vatican.  

In the same month, he then hosted members of a group known to sponsor criminal activities like murders, kidnapping, arson and so on. In a speech of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) meeting in Port Vila, Prime Minister Charlot Salwai begged the group to stay united and follow the directions of the current leadership, as reported by Radio New Zealand.



L-R: Armed separatists, Rex Rumakiek, Benny Wenda, Oktovianus Mote, Kelly Kwalik


The ULMWP is an amalgamation of a number of West Papua separatist groups established on 7 December 2014. However differences among the ULMWP executives and the ULMWP armed groups in West Papua are putting serious strain on the group. 

Recently the Secretary-General of the Revolutionary Military of West Papua (RMWP), Lt. General Amunggut Tabi stated:


"If the ULMWP does not have the capacity to form a West Papua Republic, then all the people in West Papua have the right to question: what is the purpose of establishing the ULMWP? To profit on the suffering of the Papuan people?" 

General of the RMWP Mathias Wenda sharply criticized Benny Wenda, Octo Mote and the leadership of the ULMWP:

"Since the ULMWP was established three years ago, the Papua independence campaign has been conducted sporadically and incompetently, much like the ways of the old political generation."  

General Mathias Wenda further added:


"The quarrel between Benny Wenda and Oktovianus Mote, is based on their personal interests and egos.They do not have integrity nor the needed hardness to lead the Papua campaign."

Benny Wenda is the spokesperson and Mr. Mote is the secretary-general of the ULMWP. 

Benny Wenda, Mr. Mote, Jacob Rumbiak, Rex Rumakiek and other ULMWP leaders have been revealed to have spent millions of dollars of Papua campaign money to fund their lavish lifestyles including flying business or first class in their travels, paying off mortgages in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Wenda, Mote and Rumbiak are known to have sent large sums of money to separatist groups in West Papua to buy assault weapons, bomb materials and other illegal purchases. 

Many of the separatist armed groups funded by Wenda and the ULMWP are opposed to General Mathias Wenda and Lt. General Amunggut Tabi, raising the possibility of an all-out civil war.

The separatism summit in Port Vila comes at a time when PM Salwai is facing corruption accusations, defections and low popularity

It is also happening on the heels of damaging revelations that PM Salwai lied to Pope Francis in an audience at the Vatican. 

Despite Mr Salwai's claim to have raised West Papua with the Pope, no Pacific Islands leader had the opportunity to deliver any statements during the audience with His Holiness.

Other Pacific Leaders in attendance were reported to have been deeply embarrassed and angry at the uncalled for unilateral actions of PM Salwai. A senior official who spoke on the condition of anonymity revealed that:

"The actions of PM Salwai was simply disgusting. We have worked very hard for many years to build a good relationship with the Vatican and with the Pope himself. In one single meeting, Mr Salwai destroyed the trust we have enjoyed with the Vatican. It is shameful." 

It is baffling to see a Christian leader of Vanuatu, a Christian-majority country, in a rare audience with the Pope, chose instead to break the Ninth Commandment in front of His Holiness himself. 

Meanwhile, domestically an MP has accused Mr Salwai of misappropriating close to two million dollar of aid money.

On 15 November Jay Ngwele of Ambae province and Vanuatu's Special Envoy on Climate Change quit in protest of blatant misuse of US$1.85 million of aid money for the residents of Ambae affected by the volcano.

Radio New Zealand reported that:


"Mr Ngwele said of the $US1.85 million dollars approved by the Council of Ministers to help the Ambae people, about half went on travel costs, accommodation and allowances for politicians, including the prime minister, and government officials.."

Mr Ngwele characterised PM Salwai as “both insulting and childish”.

PM Salwai has faced corruption scandals, defections, mutiny, serious health-scare and votes of no confidence.



PM Charlot Salwai (left) in happier times with Manasseh Sogavare, former PM of Solomon Islands who was fired for corruption


A regional analyst from a South Pacific University observed that:


"The problems facing PM Salwai government is real. The criticism laid on him has its merit, such as the corruption scandal involving aid money for the people of Ambae.

Unfortunately, rather that tackle the heart of the problems at home, PM Salwai has been doing the opposite. He is instead avoiding the problem and deflecting attention to international issues, such as West Papua.

PM Salwai's uses international platform like in the MSG, PIF and recently a meeting with the Pope in Vatican to "advocate" on West Papua.

But the truth of the matter is, PM Salwai is only advocating for his own political survival. He knows that his days are numbered. He knows that his unlawful activities will soon catch up on him. Like a cornered rat, he will bite anyone, even his fellow MP like Mr Ngwele."   

West Papua and Papua are two provinces of Indonesia that historically has been administered by the Majapahit Kingdom in the 13th century that ruled most of what is now Indonesia. In 1969, the United Nations reaffirmed West Papua as part of Indonesia.

A political analyst observed that:

"The Vanuatu PM failed to mention that West Papua exercises free, fair and open democracy recognized by the international community of nations. About 2.7 million voters routinely elect MPs and governments."

The Vanuatu PM, who has faced numerous votes of no confidence since taking office in February 2016, has often spoken about the concept of "Melanesian brotherhood" and his dream of uniting all Melanesian countries into one nation. Countries that has significant Melanesian population includes Australia, Fiji, Indonesia, New Caledonia, PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

South Pacific political analysts view the PM's words in the UN chamber are dangerous to the stability of the region. Joanne Wallis, an Australian analyst, has spoken of the "arc of instability" of the South Pacific.

Applying the same logic that the Vanuatu PM uses, along the lines of race (Melanesia) and human rights, other countries in the region are also threatened.

That twisted logic dictates that the Aboriginal people of Australia should be an independent nation. Bounganville in PNG and Kanak of New Caledonia should be independent. The thinking encourages for the merging of all Melanesian-populated countries into one nation by hook or by crook.


"When Vanuatu speaks about re-drawing legitimate international borders like in the case of West Papua, all it does is stokes dangerous tensions and insecurity in the region." concluded the analyst.

Armed group part of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP)

Benny Wenda, leader of the ULMWP (left) and the late Kelly Kwalik, a West Papua terrorist (right)


 


ABCMelanesia

Monday, December 4, 2017

NEWS FLASH: WAR OF WORDS ERUPT AMONG WEST PAPUA GROUPS

Benny Wenda and Oktovianus Mote make a power grab with Vanuatu PM blessing.

Port Vila, Vanuatu
ABCMelanesia


PM of Vanuatu Charlot Salwai (left) handing over a building to leaders of the ULMWP Benny Wenda (middle) and Oktovianus Mote (far right). Photo courtesy of Facebook


Members and supporters of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) responded with fury to moves by Benny Wenda and Oktovianus Mote to grab power. 

Lewis Prai Wellip, a "diplomat" of the ULMWP based in Melbourne, Australia did not mince his words and questioned the motives of ULMWP executives:

"Who gave permission for Paula Makabori to become the treasurer of ULMWP? Where is the share for us at the Adat Tanah Mamta and Tabi (Mamta and Tabi cultural land)? Fuck you guys. Papua is not yours alone. Create something that is clear...."

A Facebook post by Lewis Prai Wellip, "diplomat" of the ULMWP


The ULMWP held its first Committee Summit in Port Vila last week and announced its new executive leadership.

The biggest winners were Benny Wenda who was the group's spokesperson and now promoted to executive chair while Oktovianus Mote, previously the secretary-general is now the vice-chair. 

Rex Rumakiek is now the secretary, Jacob Rumbiak is the new spokesperson and Paula Makabori is the new treasurer of the group.

Lewis Prai Wellip and a number of other ULMWP executives and supporters like Leonie Tanggahma have been sidelined. 



Oridek Ap, a newly promoted executive member of the ULMWP took issue with Mr Wellip's Facebook statement:

"Bro, are you for real that ambitious? There are lots of work, we have not attained independence and yet already angry about "position". Please, make yourself useful for our people."

Mr Wellip explained that the ULMWP must abide to its parent organisation:

"OPM (Free Papua Organisation is the parent organisation. ULMWP is a tactical organisation, to conduct international lobby. OPM, with its head quarters in Victoria, have the right and legitimacy to establish a government. ULMWP, with its HQ in Vanuatu, which is a foreign country, DOES NOT have the right nor the legitimacy to establish a government in exile."

Lewis Prai Wellip's post in his Facebook page


In the ULMWP press release, as reported by the Vanuatu Daily Post, the Government of Vanuatu handed over a building to the ULMWP dubbed the "West Papua Home". 


The "West Papua Home" in Port Vila, gifted by the Government of Vanuatu to the ULMWP


In his welcome speech to the members of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), Prime Minister Charlot Salwai begged the group to stay united and follow the directions of the current leadership, as reported by Radio New Zealand.



L-R: Armed separatists, Rex Rumakiek, Benny Wenda, Oktovianus Mote, Kelly Kwalik


The ULMWP is an amalgamation of a number of West Papua separatist groups established on 7 December 2014. However differences among the ULMWP executives and the ULMWP armed groups in West Papua are putting serious strain on the group. 

The war of words was also waged from inside West Papua. Recently the Secretary-General of the Revolutionary Military of West Papua (RMWP), Lt. General Amunggut Tabi stated:

"If the ULMWP does not have the capacity to form a West Papua Republic, then all the people in West Papua have the right to question: what is the purpose of establishing the ULMWP? To profit on the suffering of the Papuan people?" 

General of the RMWP Mathias Wenda sharply criticized Benny Wenda, Octo Mote and the leadership of the ULMWP:

"Since the ULMWP was established three years ago, the Papua independence campaign has been conducted sporadically and incompetently, much like the ways of the old political generation."  

General Mathias Wenda further added:

"The quarrel between Benny Wenda and Oktovianus Mote, is based on their personal interests and egos.They do not have integrity nor the needed hardness to lead the Papua campaign."

Benny Wenda is the spokesperson and Mr. Mote is the secretary-general of the ULMWP. 

Benny Wenda, Mr. Mote, Jacob Rumbiak, Rex Rumakiek and other ULMWP leaders have been revealed to have spent millions of dollars of Papua campaign money to fund their lavish lifestyles including flying business or first class in their travels, paying off mortgages in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Wenda, Mote and Rumbiak are known to have sent large sums of money to separatist groups in West Papua to buy assault weapons, bomb materials and other illegal purchases. 


ULMWP armed militants received by PM Charlot Salwai and Deputy Joe Natuman in Port Vila, Vanuatu. Photo courtesy of Facebook.


Many of the separatist armed groups funded by Wenda and the ULMWP are opposed to General Mathias Wenda and Lt. General Amunggut Tabi, raising the possibility of an all-out civil war.

The separatism summit in Port Vila comes at a time when PM Salwai is facing corruption accusations, defections and low popularity

It is also happening on the heels of damaging revelations that PM Salwai lied to Pope Francis in an audience at the Vatican. 

Despite Mr Salwai's claim to have raised West Papua with the Pope, no Pacific Islands leader had the opportunity to deliver any statements during the audience with His Holiness.

Other Pacific Leaders in attendance were reported to have been deeply embarrassed and angry at the uncalled for unilateral actions of PM Salwai. A senior official who spoke on the condition of anonymity revealed that:

"The actions of PM Salwai was simply disgusting. We have worked very hard for many years to build a good relationship with the Vatican and with the Pope himself. In one single meeting, Mr Salwai destroyed the trust we have enjoyed with the Vatican. It is shameful." 

It is baffling to see a Christian leader of Vanuatu, a Christian-majority country, in a rare audience with the Pope, chose instead to break the Ninth Commandment in front of His Holiness himself. 

Meanwhile, domestically an MP has accused Mr Salwai of misappropriating close to two million dollar of aid money.

On 15 November Jay Ngwele of Ambae province and Vanuatu's Special Envoy on Climate Change quit in protest of blatant misuse of US$1.85 million of aid money for the residents of Ambae affected by the volcano.

Radio New Zealand reported that:

"Mr Ngwele said of the $US1.85 million dollars approved by the Council of Ministers to help the Ambae people, about half went on travel costs, accommodation and allowances for politicians, including the prime minister, and government officials.."

Mr Ngwele characterised PM Salwai as “both insulting and childish”.

PM Salwai has faced corruption scandals, defections, mutiny, serious health-scare and votes of no confidence.



PM Charlot Salwai (left) in happier times with Manasseh Sogavare, former PM of Solomon Islands who was fired for corruption


A regional analyst from a South Pacific University observed that:

"The problems facing PM Salwai government is real. The criticism laid on him has its merit, such as the corruption scandal involving aid money for the people of Ambae.

Unfortunately, rather that tackle the heart of the problems at home, PM Salwai has been doing the opposite. He is instead avoiding the problem and deflecting attention to international issues, such as West Papua.

PM Salwai's uses international platform like in the MSG, PIF and recently a meeting with the Pope in Vatican to "advocate" on West Papua.

But the truth of the matter is, PM Salwai is only advocating for his own political survival. He knows that his days are numbered. He knows that his unlawful activities will soon catch up on him. Like a cornered rat, he will bite anyone, even his fellow MP like Mr Ngwele."   

West Papua and Papua are two provinces of Indonesia that historically has been administered by the Majapahit Kingdom in the 13th century that ruled most of what is now Indonesia. In 1969, the United Nations reaffirmed West Papua as part of Indonesia.

A political analyst observed that:

"The Vanuatu PM failed to mention that West Papua exercises free, fair and open democracy recognized by the international community of nations. About 2.7 million voters routinely elect MPs and governments."

The Vanuatu PM, who has faced numerous votes of no confidence since taking office in February 2016, has often spoken about the concept of "Melanesian brotherhood" and his dream of uniting all Melanesian countries into one nation. Countries that has significant Melanesian population includes Australia, Fiji, Indonesia, New Caledonia, PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

South Pacific political analysts view the PM's words in the UN chamber are dangerous to the stability of the region. Joanne Wallis, an Australian analyst, has spoken of the "arc of instability" of the South Pacific.

Applying the same logic that the Vanuatu PM uses, along the lines of race (Melanesia) and human rights, other countries in the region are also threatened.

That twisted logic dictates that the Aboriginal people of Australia should be an independent nation. Bounganville in PNG and Kanak of New Caledonia should be independent. The thinking encourages for the merging of all Melanesian-populated countries into one nation by hook or by crook.

"When Vanuatu speaks about re-drawing legitimate international borders like in the case of West Papua, all it does is stokes dangerous tensions and insecurity in the region." concluded the analyst.

Armed group part of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP)

Benny Wenda, leader of the ULMWP (left) and the late Kelly Kwalik, a West Papua terrorist (right)



ABCMelanesia

Monday, November 27, 2017

NEWS FLASH: AFTER FIASCO WITH POPE, VANUATU PM HOSTS SEPARATISM SUMMIT

West Papua separatist leaders converge in Port Vila to plan next move. Cracks in unity noted by PM Salwai.

Port Vila, Vanuatu
ABCMelanesia



Pope Francis sporting a black eye as a result of bumping on his Popemobile in Colombia in September 2017 (source: www.AmericanMagazine.org)


After causing a fiasco during the audience of Pacific Leaders with His Holiness Pope Francis two weeks ago in the Vatican, Prime Minister Charlot Salwai again made headlines for the wrong reasons. 

In his welcome speech to the members of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), Prime Minister Charlot Salwai begged the group to stay united and follow the directions of the current leadership, as reported by Radio New Zealand.




L-R: Armed separatists, Rex Rumakiek, Benny Wenda, Oktovianus Mote, Kelly Kwalik


The ULMWP is an amalgamation of a number of West Papua separatist groups established on 7 December 2014. However differences among the ULMWP executives and the ULMWP armed groups in West Papua are putting serious strain on the group. 

Recently the Secretary-General of the Revolutionary Military of West Papua (RMWP), Lt. General Amunggut Tabi stated:


"If the ULMWP does not have the capacity to form a West Papua Republic, then all the people in West Papua have the right to question: what is the purpose of establishing the ULMWP? To profit on the suffering of the Papuan people?" 

General of the RMWP Mathias Wenda sharply criticized Benny Wenda, Octo Mote and the leadership of the ULMWP:

"Since the ULMWP was established three years ago, the Papua independence campaign has been conducted sporadically and incompetently, much like the ways of the old political generation."  

General Mathias Wenda further added:


"The quarrel between Benny Wenda and Oktovianus Mote, is based on their personal interests and egos.They do not have integrity nor the needed hardness to lead the Papua campaign."

Benny Wenda is the spokesperson and Mr. Mote is the secretary-general of the ULMWP. 

Benny Wenda, Mr. Mote, Jacob Rumbiak, Rex Rumakiek and other ULMWP leaders have been revealed to have spent millions of dollars of Papua campaign money to fund their lavish lifestyles including flying business or first class in their travels, paying off mortgages in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Wenda, Mote and Rumbiak are known to have sent large sums of money to separatist groups in West Papua to buy assault weapons, bomb materials and other illegal purchases. 

Many of the separatist armed groups funded by Wenda and the ULMWP are opposed to General Mathias Wenda and Lt. General Amunggut Tabi, raising the possibility of an all-out civil war.

The separatism summit in Port Vila comes at a time when PM Salwai is facing corruption accusations, defections and low popularity

It is also happening on the heels of damaging revelations that PM Salwai lied to Pope Francis in an audience at the Vatican. 

Despite Mr Salwai's claim to have raised West Papua with the Pope, no Pacific Islands leader had the opportunity to deliver any statements during the audience with His Holiness.

Other Pacific Leaders in attendance were reported to have been deeply embarrassed and angry at the uncalled for unilateral actions of PM Salwai. A senior official who spoke on the condition of anonymity revealed that:

"The actions of PM Salwai was simply disgusting. We have worked very hard for many years to build a good relationship with the Vatican and with the Pope himself. In one single meeting, Mr Salwai destroyed the trust we have enjoyed with the Vatican. It is shameful." 

It is baffling to see a Christian leader of Vanuatu, a Christian-majority country, in a rare audience with the Pope, chose instead to break the Ninth Commandment in front of His Holiness himself. 

Meanwhile, domestically an MP has accused Mr Salwai of misappropriating close to two million dollar of aid money.

On 15 November Jay Ngwele of Ambae province and Vanuatu's Special Envoy on Climate Change quit in protest of blatant misuse of US$1.85 million of aid money for the residents of Ambae affected by the volcano.

Radio New Zealand reported that:


"Mr Ngwele said of the $US1.85 million dollars approved by the Council of Ministers to help the Ambae people, about half went on travel costs, accommodation and allowances for politicians, including the prime minister, and government officials.."

Mr Ngwele characterised PM Salwai as “both insulting and childish”.

PM Salwai has faced corruption scandals, defections, mutiny, serious health-scare and votes of no confidence.



PM Charlot Salwai (left) in happier times with Manasseh Sogavare, former PM of Solomon Islands who was fired for corruption


A regional analyst from a South Pacific University observed that:


"The problems facing PM Salwai government is real. The criticism laid on him has its merit, such as the corruption scandal involving aid money for the people of Ambae.

Unfortunately, rather that tackle the heart of the problems at home, PM Salwai has been doing the opposite. He is instead avoiding the problem and deflecting attention to international issues, such as West Papua.

PM Salwai's uses international platform like in the MSG, PIF and recently a meeting with the Pope in Vatican to "advocate" on West Papua.

But the truth of the matter is, PM Salwai is only advocating for his own political survival. He knows that his days are numbered. He knows that his unlawful activities will soon catch up on him. Like a cornered rat, he will bite anyone, even his fellow MP like Mr Ngwele."   

West Papua and Papua are two provinces of Indonesia that historically has been administered by the Majapahit Kingdom in the 13th century that ruled most of what is now Indonesia. In 1969, the United Nations reaffirmed West Papua as part of Indonesia.

A political analyst observed that:

"The Vanuatu PM failed to mention that West Papua exercises free, fair and open democracy recognized by the international community of nations. About 2.7 million voters routinely elect MPs and governments."

The Vanuatu PM, who has faced numerous votes of no confidence since taking office in February 2016, has often spoken about the concept of "Melanesian brotherhood" and his dream of uniting all Melanesian countries into one nation. Countries that has significant Melanesian population includes Australia, Fiji, Indonesia, New Caledonia, PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

South Pacific political analysts view the PM's words in the UN chamber are dangerous to the stability of the region. Joanne Wallis, an Australian analyst, has spoken of the "arc of instability" of the South Pacific.

Applying the same logic that the Vanuatu PM uses, along the lines of race (Melanesia) and human rights, other countries in the region are also threatened.

That twisted logic dictates that the Aboriginal people of Australia should be an independent nation. Bounganville in PNG and Kanak of New Caledonia should be independent. The thinking encourages for the merging of all Melanesian-populated countries into one nation by hook or by crook.


"When Vanuatu speaks about re-drawing legitimate international borders like in the case of West Papua, all it does is stokes dangerous tensions and insecurity in the region." concluded the analyst.

Armed group part of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP)

Benny Wenda, leader of the ULMWP (left) and the late Kelly Kwalik, a West Papua terrorist (right)


Both Mr Salwai, the Vanuatu PM and Benny Wenda, the leader of the ULMWP clearly have no respect for the Ninth Commandment: Thou Shalt Not Lie.  


ABCMelanesia

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

BREAKING NEWS: WEST PAPUAN HOSTAGES RESCUED BY SECURITY FORCES

Separatist group used hostages as human shields, physically abused many villagers and stole belongings

Mimika, Papua, Indonesia
ABCMelanesia


Member of the security rescue team take a child to safety (photo courtesy of Papua Police)


After more than a week held hostage by a group of armed individuals linked with West Papua separatist, hundreds of people were rescued by combined police and army security team last Friday (17/11).

Just after 4am on Friday, a combined security team consisting of 43 members entered Kimbely Village with the aim of securing and holding the village. At about the same time, another team secured and held Banti Village. 


At 7am, the security forces secured the villages and in the next two hours successfully secured the stronghold of the armed group.


It was reported that members of the armed group fled from the villages into the bushes and nearby hills.



Member of the armed separatist group pose with an automatic weapon (Photo: Facebook)


A political pundit, Veronica Koman disputed the account, saying that the armed group never held the villagers hostage and that the group would never harm their own brothers and sisters.

Ms Koman's comments are a stark contrast to the facts on the ground. 


Many of the more than 350 people rescued , mostly daily commuters resident of other parts of the area, recounted their ordeal to the local press and authorities:



"All of our belongings including cash, mobile phones, bags and other things were taken from us. They [the armed group] pointed their guns at us and forced us to surrender our things."

Some even lost more than their possessions:
"I saw women being dragged away by members of the armed group. The women screamed and kicked to no avail. The armed people took the women to a house. I heard the group raped the women repeatedly."

Ms Koman, a self-proclaimed human rights lawyer who claims to have "extensive working experience in the UN Human Rights Council", also disputed the fact that the armed group used arms and force in the hostage crisis. 

Her statement was made despite the fact that the armed separatist group, under the direction of Benny Wenda and other executives of the separatist mob that since 2014 are grouped in the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) is known to have employed brutal tactics in the past.



In December 1996, the Papuan separatist group abducted 26 person in Mapenduma. Fifteen were released, but 11 researchers from the multi-national Lorentz 95 Expedition were held captive. The hostages, four Britons, five Indonesians and two Dutch were held hostage for four months from 8 January to 15 May 1996. 

The Mapenduma hostages, Papua, 1996

The ICRC reported:

Among the hostages was Martha Klein, who was three months pregnant when she was captured.

In a daring and surprising raid, Indonesian special forces freed the hostages. Two Indonesians were killed during the operation: Matheis Lasembu, an ornithologist and Navy Panekenan, a biologist. Five Army officers were killed when their helicopted crashed in jungle of Geselama, Papua. 

The two hostages bled to death after being struck with machetes by Kelly Kwalik, the leader of the hostage-takers and a close confidant of Benny Wenda.

Kelly Kwalik, died in 2009 in a gunfight with security authorities.


Benny Wenda (left) and Kelly Kwalik (right)

As reported by the Associated Press and the Seattle Times, on 23 October 2017, armed West Papua separatist group killed Berry Pratama a police sergeant in Sangket, Papua. 

In the attack, Joe Hatch, an American worker for Freeport suffered a gunshot wound.



Sources reveal that Benny Wenda, the leader of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) was behind the unprovoked and barbarous attacks. 



Sources reveal that Benny Wenda and the ULMWP command armed separatist group in West Papua

On Sunday 5 November, The Jakarta Post reported that armed assailants set fire to five kiosks owned by West Papuan loacals. 


“Five kiosks owned by local people in Kampung Utikini were set ablaze by an armed group at 2 a.m. on Sunday,” Mimika Police chief Adj. Sr. Cmr. Victor D Mackbon told journalists on Sunday.

No casualties were reported in this latest incident. 


Five shops were set ablaze only about 100 meters from a Police dormitory in West Papua (photo courtesy of Papua Police)

This latest attack comes after a kidnapping and raping of a West Papuan woman on 30 October 2017

Over the years, the ULMWP together with armed separatist group in West Papua have waged a brutal campaign against West Papuan civilians, government and security officers.


The Purom Okinam Wenda Group (top left). The remains of Police officer Rolfi Takubessy (above right), police station burnt by the Group (above left) and the remains of West Papuan police officer (top right)

The ULMWP is led by Benny Wenda, a fugitive wanted in connection to the murder of West Papuans Petrus Epaa and Markus Padama in Papua in December 2000. 

The ULMWP, which claims as the rightful government of West Papua, routinely direct its armed wing in West Papua including the West Papua National Liberation Army (WPNLA) and the Purom Okinam Wenda Group to kill and terrorize the residents of West Papua. This is a strategy to stoke fear and coerce support from the West Papuan people.

A West Papuan separatist group during a force and weapons parade

West Papua and Papua are two easternmost provinces of Indonesia that enjoy robust and functioning democracies that routinely elect West Papuan into top government and legislative posts. 

Some selected acts of murders widely attributed to the ULMWP (or its affiliated groups) and its armed group includes:
  • 6 civilians and police officers killed in Wasior, June 2001;
  • 3 police officers killed in Lanny Jaya, November 2012;
  • 1 health worker killed in Puncak Jaya, July 2013;
  • 2 police officers killed in Lanny Jaya, July 2014;
  • 1 priest killed in Namuniweja Village, November 2015;
  • 4 road workers killed in Sinak & Mulia, March 2016;
  • 2 teacher and road worker killed in Puncak Jaya, August-September 2016

Armed group linked to West Papua separatist group the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP)



ABCMelanesia

Thursday, November 16, 2017

BREAKING NEWS: IN AUDIENCE WITH POPE, PM CHARLOT SALWAI COMMITS SIN

PM Salwai breaks the Ninth Commandment: Thou Shalt Not Lie

Port Vila, Vanuatu
ABCMelanesia

His Holiness Pope Francis


In a breach of Vatican protocol and a blatant transgression against divine law, Prime Minister Charlot Salwai claimed to have spoken about West Papua to Pope Francis. 

That claim however was proved to be a lie. 

The fact was, as reported by PINA, PM Salwai and a number of Pacific Islands leaders met Pope Francis in the Holy See, Vatican on Saturday (11/11). The leaders were given a short audience with the Pope who briefly shook the hands of each of the island nations' leaders.

Another fact was that Pope Francis delivered an address to the Pacific Islands leaders on the environment and climate change. 

Despite Mr Salwai's claim to have raised West Papua with the Pope, no Pacific Islands leader had the opportunity to deliver any statements during the audience with His Holiness.

It is baffling to see a Christian leader of Vanuatu, a Christian-majority country, in a rare audience with the Pope, chose instead to break the Ninth Commandment in front of His Holiness himself. 

This latest development comes on the heel of a brewing crisis in the government of Mr Salwai. Recently an MP has accused Mr Salwai of misappropriating close to two million dollar of aid money.

Just last Wednesday (15/11) Jay Ngwele of Ambae province and Vanuatu's Special Envoy on Climate Change quit in protest of blatant misuse of US$1.85 million of aid money for the residents of Ambae affected by the volcano.

Radio New Zealand reported that:

"Mr Ngwele said of the $US1.85 million dollars approved by the Council of Ministers to help the Ambae people, about half went on travel costs, accommodation and allowances for politicians, including the prime minister, and government officials.."

Mr Ngwele characterised PM Salwai as “both insulting and childish”.

PM Salwai has faced corruption scandals, defections, mutiny, serious health-scare and votes of no confidence.



PM Charlot Salwai (left) in happier times with Manasseh Sogavare, former PM of Solomon Islands who was fired for corruption


A regional analyst from a South Pacific University observed that:

"The problems facing PM Salwai government is real. The criticism laid on him has its merit, such as the corruption scandal involving aid money for the people of Ambae.

Unfortunately, rather that tackle the heart of the problems at home, PM Salwai has been doing the opposite. He is instead avoiding the problem and deflecting attention to international issues, such as West Papua.

PM Salwai's uses international platform like in the MSG, PIF and recently a meeting with the Pope in Vatican to "advocate" on West Papua.

But the truth of the matter is, PM Salwai is only advocating for his own political survival. He knows that his days are numbered. He knows that his unlawful activities will soon catch up on him. Like a cornered rat, he will bite anyone, even his fellow MP like Mr Ngwele."   

West Papua and Papua are two provinces of Indonesia that historically has been administered by the Majapahit Kingdom in the 13th century that ruled most of what is now Indonesia. In 1969, the United Nations reaffirmed West Papua as part of Indonesia.

A political analyst observed that:

"The Vanuatu PM failed to mention that West Papua exercises free, fair and open democracy recognized by the international community of nations. About 2.7 million voters routinely elect MPs and governments."

The Vanuatu PM, who has faced numerous votes of no confidence since taking office in February 2016, has often spoken about the concept of "Melanesian brotherhood" and his dream of uniting all Melanesian countries into one nation. Countries that has significant Melanesian population includes Australia, Fiji, Indonesia, New Caledonia, PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

South Pacific political analysts view the PM's words in the UN chamber are dangerous to the stability of the region. Joanne Wallis, an Australian analyst, has spoken of the "arc of instability" of the South Pacific.

Applying the same logic that the Vanuatu PM uses, along the lines of race (Melanesia) and human rights, other countries in the region are also threatened.

That twisted logic dictates that the Aboriginal people of Australia should be an independent nation. Bounganville in PNG and Kanak of New Caledonia should be independent. The thinking encourages for the merging of all Melanesian-populated countries into one nation by hook or by crook.

"When Vanuatu speaks about re-drawing legitimate international borders like in the case of West Papua, all it does is stokes dangerous tensions and insecurity in the region." concluded the analyst.

Armed group part of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP)

Benny Wenda, leader of the ULMWP (left) and the late Kelly Kwalik, a West Papua terrorist (right)


Both Mr Salwai, the Vanuatu PM and Benny Wenda, the leader of the ULMWP clearly have no respect for the Ninth Commandment: Thou Shalt Not Lie.  


ABCMelanesia