Solomons govt committed to West Papua issue, says Mote

The United Liberation Movement for West Papua says Solomon Islands' support for its cause remains firm despite a change in leadership.

The Movement's secretary general Octo Mote last week travelled to Honiara to meet the new Solomons prime minister Rick Hou.

Rick Hou replaced Manasseh Sogavare after a vote of no-confidence, although Mr Sogavare is now deputy prime minister.

Mr Sogavare had championed the push for greater recognition of Papuan self-determination and human rights on the world stage.

After meeting Mr Hou, Mr Mote said the Solomons will continue to allocate the same level of resources to advancing the issue.

"That was one of the issues that became a key for some members of parliament to move with the government because they knew that under the opposition they are not certain about Papua, so they don't want to jeopardise the political beliefs and struggle that they've been part of," he said.

 

 

 

Photo: RNZI / Koroi Hawkins The Secretary-General of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, Octo Mote.