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

BREAKING NEWS: VANUATU PM ACCUSED OF CORRUPTION, MP RESIGNS IN PROTEST

"Childish" PM Charlot Salwai embroiled in  million-US dollar Ambae humanitarian aid corruption

Port Vila, Vanuatu
ABCMelanesia

MP Jay Ngwele (Photo courtesy of Daily Post)

In another blow to Prime Minister Charlot Salwai government, an MP from the PM's coalition resigned on 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.."

As reported by the Vanuatu Daily Post, Mr Ngwele was furious that PM Salwai did not even had the courtesy to include three Ambae MPs in the humanitarian visit.

“The Government did not have the courtesy to even invite us three MPs who are familiar with the situation on the ground to join the team,”

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

BREAKING NEWS: PM OF SOLOMON ISLANDS FIRED

Vanuatu PM reported to be shocked and angry at his ally's fate

Honiara, Solomon Islands
Port Vila, Vanuatu
ABCMelanesia

PM Charlot Salwai and PM Manasseh Sogavare after striking a maritime and political alliance to strengthen and consolidate their domestic political power (Photo courtesy of PM Press Secretariat)

Solomon Islands MPs has voted 27 to 23 to remove Manasseh Sogavare from office last Monday.

MPs cited lost of confidence, corruption and nepotism as the main reasons for the ouster of Sogavare who have been prime minister three times.

The move comes as Sogavare was accused of bribing MPs to support him and of the visit to Solomon Islands by long-time benefactor, the President of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-Wen.

PM Manasseh Sogavare (Photo courtesy of Radio New Zealand International)

This development comes as news broke that Mr Sogavare abruptly stopped an anti-corruption bill. A law that would have enabled authorities to enforce anti-corruption measures more effectively.

Meanwhile, sources inside the Government of Vanuatu revealed that Prime Minister Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas reacted to the Solomon Islands news with shock, disbelief and anger.

PM Charlot Salwai is a long-time ally and friend of Sogavare. The two often meet together to talk about domestic governance and regional relations matters. 

Johnny Koanapo the Parliamentary Secretary for the PM of Vanuatu expressed support for Manasseh Sogavare and reiterated PM Charlot Salwai confidence in Sogavare.

Sogavare is an honorable person. The trumped-up charges against him will not stand in court. As long as Charlot Salwai is the PM of Vanuatu, we will stand by Manasseh Sogavare until the end.

Johnny Koanapo revealed that deep down, Charlot Salwai is afraid that the same fate as Sogavare will be handed down to Salwai. 

Look, the Government of Charlot Salwai has done good things for Vanuatu, but let's be honest, corruption is still rampant, public services still bad, infrastructure crumbling, jobs non-existent and crimes are all too frequent. 

Those domestic challenges are made even worse with Charlot Salwai receiving tens of millions of dollars from the Government of China. Some goes into development, but millions go missing to God knows where. 

Last Saturday (4/11) Mr Salwai reiterated his government's support for China:

"We are more committed to One China Policy".

The statement, the second time in just a few days was made in front of the Chinese Ambassador for Vanuatu, Liu Quan. It comes on the heels of the Taiwan's president visit to Solomon Islands and some Pacific countries.

Under the watch of Mr Salwai, his government has received millions of dollars to build the longest wharf of the South Pacific in Luganvile, the Prime Minister's Office, the new stadium to host the Pacific Mini Games and the Vanuatu National Convention Centre.

Sources reveal that Mr Salwai and Mr Sogavare often spent hours talking about ways to secure foreign money for their political survival and personal welfare.

Sogavare, "political misfortune" started when he began to pocket money his government received from Taiwan.

Former Deputy Prime Minister of Solomon Islands Douglas Ete bluntly stated:  

"In 2015, Taiwan gave ten million US dollars to the government of Sogavare.

Sogavare used this money to bribe and co-opt his political allies and foes.

About six million of it was used to bribe fifty MPs. Less than USD700k was allocated for education and development. Sogavare himself pocketed close to one million US dollars."

The government of Solomon Islands have been found to commit many human rights abuses. The BBC reported that between 1997 and 2003, 100 people died and 20,000 people displaced on Guadalcanal. The Isatabu Freedom Movement is also seeking to split from the Solomon Islands. 

Mr Sogavare will serve another month as the care-taker prime minister until the parliament elects a new prime minister in December 2017.

Several Opposition MPs are in the short-list to become Solomon Islands next prime minister. 

Dr Derek Sikua, Independent Group leader and member for Northeast Guadalcanal was reported by SIBC to be a strong contender as Solomon Islands next PM. Mr Sikua served as Solomon Islands prime minister from December 2007 to August 2010.

Dr Derek Sikua (left) with former Australian PM Kevin Rudd (Photo courtesy of Scoop.

ABCMelanesia

BREAKING NEWS: SOLOMON ISLANDS FALLS INTO FULL CRISIS

Desperate to cling to power, PM Sogavare bribes MPs

Honiara, Solomon Islands
ABCMelanesia

ABCMelanesia can now reveal that the Prime Minister Office (PMO) of Solomon Islands has actively pursued to lure a number of MPs with hard and cold cash.

As reported by the Solomon Star, the Opposition released the following statement condemning the move:

“We condemned attempts by the Prime Minister’s Office in trying to lure our Members of Parliament with lucrative amounts of money."

The Opposition slammed the PM's blatant bribery move as "outrageous and a pure act of corruption": 

“Desperate attempts by the PMO in trying to lure their MPs with cash and cheques is outrageous and a pure act of corruption."

Governor-General of Solomon Islands, Sir Frank Kabui received President of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-Wen

MPs in the Opposition disclosed the bribes ranging from $500,000 to $1 million, in a desperate effort by the PM and its cronies to shut up Opposition voice and preserve the corruption-tainted government of PM Manasseh Sogavare.

“Government cronies and MPs are frequently texting and calling Opposition MPs offering them $500,000 and even as high as $1 Million to join them.

The MPs then questioned the source of the illicit fund:

“Where is the PMO getting these funds from?”

This latest twist in the politics of the small island Pacific nation of Solomon Islands come on the heels of the visit by Taiwan's President, Tsai Ing-Wen. 

President Ing-Wen visited Solomon Islands last week and promised more financial assistance for the struggling government of PM Sogavare.

Money from Taiwan has in the past found its way into the pocket of Mr Sogavare.

Former Deputy Prime Minister of Solomon Islands Douglas Ete delivered this blunt fact: 

"In 2015, Taiwan gave ten million US dollars to the government of Sogavare. Sogavare used this money to bribe and co-opt his political allies and foes. About six million of it was used to bribe fifty MPs. Less than USD700k was allocated for education and development. Sogavare himself pocketed close to one million US dollars."

Sogavare, who was revealed to be a dual-national of both Solomon Islands and PNG, bought two luxurious properties at Henderson on the eastern outskirts of Honiara, the capital of Solomon Islands using the illicit money.

Radio New Zealand reported that Ete resigned shortly after making those revelations.

Many Pacific political analysts have come to the conclusion that Sogavare's views on West Papua is strongly motivated by his desire to preserve his political future.

"Look, Manasseh Sogavare has been subject to many many votes of no confidence. He rampantly abuses his power and swindle state funds for his own personal gain."

"Add to that, under his lead, Solomon Islands experienced negative economic growth of eight percent, high unemployment and over-dependency on foreign aid." 

The analyst further observed Sogavare's worsening relations with Australia and China, traditionally two of the largest foreign donors to Melanesian countries. 

"Faced with that kind of political pressure, financial problems and worsening international relations, Sogavare way out was one to accept money from Taiwan and two keep stoking regional conflict with the issue of West Papua." added the analyst.

Papua and West Papua are legally and internationally recognised provinces of Indonesia.

The government of Solomon Islands have been found to commit many human rights abuses. The BBC reported that between 1997 and 2003, 100 people died and 20,000 people displaced on Guadalcanal. The Isatabu Freedom Movement is also seeking to split from the Solomon Islands. 

PM Sogavare with a group of Taiwan delegates

PM Sogavare was full of praise as he welcomed the President of Taiwan, he said:

“The future of Solomon Islands and the Republic of China (Taiwan) relations is filled with promising prospects, and I am optimistic that the fruits of this relationship will grow to greater heights,”

The "fruits of this relationship" that PM Sogavare was referring to is the Taiwan's cash going into the pocket of PM Sogavare himself.

A majority of MPs plan to fire Mr Sogavare in a vote of no-confidence today Monday, 6 November.

The MPs and the defecting ministers has no more confidence in the Democratic Coalition for Change, the government's political party.

Mr Rini, the former Fisheries Minister had this to say about Mr Sogavare:

"He (PM Sogavare) changed his approach. He was diverting from our main policies, and he has listened too much to the outsiders, instead of listening to us ministers. So that's why I don't have any confidence with him, and why I resigned."

This development comes as news broke that Mr Sogavare abruptly an anti-corruption bill. A law that would have enabled authorities to enforce anti-corruption measures more effectively.


ABCMelanesia

BREAKING NEWS: SOLOMON ISLANDS CRISIS DEEPENS

After mass resignation of ministers, PM Sogavare faces a motion of no-confidence when Parliament resumes next Monday.

Honiara, Solomon Islands
ABCMelanesia

Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Manasseh Sogavare

Over the past few days, nine ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga resigned. Among those who have jumped the sinking ship are former PM Danny Phillip and Snyder Rini. 

The defectors accuse Sogavare's government of corruption and nepotism and that it has lost trust in the PM's leadership. Radio New Zealand reports that Robson Djokovic, the nephew of Mr Sogavare has exercised enormous power and influence as the cabinet's chief of staff.

A majority of MPs plan to fire Mr Sogavare in a vote of no-confidence next Monday, 6 November.

The MPs and the defecting ministers has no more confidence in the Democratic Coalition for Change, the government's political party.

Mr Rini, the former Fisheries Minister had this to say about Mr Sogavare:

"He (PM Sogavare) changed his approach. He was diverting from our main policies, and he has listened too much to the outsiders, instead of listening to us ministers. So that's why I don't have any confidence with him, and why I resigned."

This development comes as news broke that Mr Sogavare abruptly an anti-corruption bill. A law that would have enabled authorities to enforce anti-corruption measures more effectively.

The revolt coincides with a planned visit to Solomon Islands this week by the President of Taiwan, Dr Tsai Ing-wen. Taiwan is a large donor to the government of Mr Sogavare. 

Money from Taiwan has in the past found its way into the pocket of Mr Sogavare.

Former Deputy Prime Minister of Solomon Islands Douglas Ete delivered this blunt fact: 

"In 2015, Taiwan gave ten million US dollars to the government of Sogavare. Sogavare used this money to bribe and co-opt his political allies and foes. About six million of it was used to bribe fifty MPs. Less than USD700k was allocated for education and development. Sogavare himself pocketed close to one million US dollars."

Sogavare, who was revealed to be a dual-national of both Solomon Islands and PNG, bought two luxurious properties at Henderson on the eastern outskirts of Honiara, the capital of Solomon Islands using the illicit money.

Radio New Zealand reported that Ete resigned shortly after making those revelations.

Many Pacific political analysts have come to the conclusion that Sogavare's views on West Papua is strongly motivated by his desire to preserve his political future.

"Look, Manasseh Sogavare has been subject to many many votes of no confidence. He rampantly abuses his power and swindle state funds for his own personal gain. Add to that, under his lead, Solomon Islands experienced negative economic growth of eight percent, high unemployment and over-dependency on foreign aid." 

The analyst further observed Sogavare's worsening relations with Australia and China, traditionally two of the largest foreign donors to Melanesian countries. 

"Faced with that kind of political pressure, financial problems and worsening international relations, Sogavare way out was one to accept money from Taiwan and two keep stoking regional conflict with the issue of West Papua." added the analyst.

Papua and West Papua are legally and internationally recognised provinces of Indonesia.

The government of Solomon Islands have been found to commit many human rights abuses. The BBC reported that between 1997 and 2003, 100 people died and 20,000 people displaced on Guadalcanal. The Isatabu Freedom Movement is also seeking to split from the Solomon Islands. 

PM Sogavare with a group of Taiwan delegates

Solomon Star reports that the Ministers who have resigned: 

1.      Manasseh Maelanga

2.      Danny Philip

3.      Snyder Rini

4.      John Moffat Fugui

5.      Chris Laore

6.      David Tome

7.      Moses Garu

8.      Samson Maneka

9.      Elijah Doromuala

The Backbenchers who have resigned:

1.      Sam Idurii

2.      Alfred Ghiro

3.      Jimmy Lusibaea

4.      Namson Tran

5.      Lionel Alex

6.      Charles Sigoto

7.      Martin Kealoe

8.      David Pacha

9.      Dickson Mua



ABCMelanesia

EXCLUSIVE NEWS: CLAIMS OF WEST PAPUA PETITION DELIVERED TO UN REVEALED AS FALSE

Chair of Decolonization Committee: "They abused and manipulated my name for their propaganda"

28 September 2017
New York, United States
ABCMelanesia

Rafael Ramírez Carreño, the Chairman of the United Nations Decolonization Committee

After claiming that a campaigner with the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) has delivered a petition to the United Nations Decolonization Committee, the Committee hit back saying that no petition was received.

Ambassador Rafael Ramírez Carreño, the Chairman of the United Nations Decolonization Committee said: 

"I have never received anything nor anybody regarding the issue of West Papua."

The statement comes a day after the ABC and The Guardian reported that Benny Wenda, an ULMWP executive had submitted a petition calling for a referendum for Papua to the Committee.

The Committee has never received any documents pertaining to West Papua. West Papua is not on the list of Non-Self-Governing Territories of the Committee. West Papua is a province of Indonesia and the United Nations have recognized that since many decades ago. 

Ambassador Carreño strongly disapproved and is offended by Benny Wenda and those individuals and parties who have abused and manipulated his name for their own Propaganda.

An Opposition MP and former Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Sato Kilman strongly warned the Government and accused it of being inconsistent on foreign policy.

"The current Vanuatu government of PM Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas has lost its credibility with the international community and its own public."

Sato Kilman further said that the PM's stubborn focus on West Papua issue have exposed Tabimasmas' hypocrisy. 

On the one hand he portrays himself as the champion of "colonized nations and people". 

However he failed to take up the issue of the sovereignty of the Aboriginal people of Australia, Taiwan, and closer to home, the Isatabu Freedom Movement in Solomon Islands.

The PM of Vanuatu is highly dependent on Australia and China for its survival. 

The Vanuatu government depends on Australia's and China's checkbooks to keep its government afloat. 

By supporting China, instead of Taiwan as was in the past, Vanuatu is ensuring that the steady flow of Chinese yuan keeps flowing into Tabimasmas' wallet. 

The cold calculation of the PM trumped whatever principles he had on the issue of "Melanesian brotherhood."

Another reason for PM Tabimasmas perverse focus on West Papua is his dark secret. 

It is widely reported that PM Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas has faced corruption scandals, defections, mutiny, serious health-scare and many votes of no confidence. 

Benny Wenda, wanted for the involvement in the 2000 fatal attacks and murder of West Papuans Petrus Epaa and Markus Padama in Abepura, Papua. He escaped to PNG and then to the United Kingdom where he now lives.

Benny Wenda ordered the murders of police and innocent civilians. Top left: Wenda's armed group. Top right and above right: the remains of police officer and a charred body of a civilian. Above left: burned police station in West Papua

In their desperate move to save their political career, all is fair in politics and principle for Tabimasmas and Benny Wenda.

Nothing can stand in Tabimasmas' and Benny Wenda way, not even principles nor the law. 


ABCMelanesia