Wednesday, April 11, 2018

EXPOSED: VANUATU'S PM SECRET DEAL WITH CHINA

CHARLOT SALWAI REPORTED TO HAVE MADE DEAL WITH CHINA TO BUILD MILITARY BASE.

Port Vila, Vanuatu
ABCMelanesia


A Chinese Naval Base in the South China Sea. Image courtesy of Youtube.com


As the damage of Tuesday's revelation by Fairfax Media that the Vanuatu government are in secret talks with China to build a Chinese military base in Vanuatu, Vanuatu government officials are scrambling to hide the secret.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that: 

"Fairfax Media can reveal there have been preliminary discussions between the Chinese and Vanuatu governments about a military build-up in the island nation."

Ralph Regenvanu, the foreign minister of Vanuatu was caught off-guard when its secret government talk was leaked by the Australian media.

Regenvanu reacted by blaming the Australian media:


"I'm not very happy about the standard of reporting in the Australia media."

The Guardian reported that:


"What was true in the 1940s remains true today: whoever controls Vanuatu controls air and sea traffic between the US and Australia. Right now, that's the government of Vanuatu."

It is that prime geographical position of Vanuatu that PM Charlot Salwai is planning to monetize for his personal gain.

PM Charlot Salwai meeting Foreign Minister of China Zheng Zeguang in Guandong, China, 17 January 2018. Image courtesy of www.fmprc.gov.cn 

Regenvanu may not have been aware of talks conducted by PM Salwai himself with the Chinese government.

China is already Vanuatu's largest source of debt. The Vanuatu 2018 Budget Papers put the figure of Vanuatu's debt to China at $220 million, or about half of Vanuatu's entire budget.


Vanuatu's Debt. Image courtesy of the Sydney Morning Herald


According to the SMH:


"Beijing last week announced it would pay for and build a new official house for the Vanuatu president, a new Finance Ministry building and an extension on the Foreign Ministry building at a reported total cost of about $36 million." 


How long the denial strategy being used by Ralph Regenvanu can cover the dark secret deal of his boss, remains to be seen. 

Charlot Salwai has millions of dollars to benefit personally if he can keep his deal with China a secret. Even from his own foreign minister.

This latest revelation coming out from the office of the prime minister himself, comes at a time when PM Salwai is facing corruption accusations, defections and low popularity

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

On 15 November 2017 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)



ABCMelanesia

FEATURED ARTICLE: POLITICAL SUPPORTERS & FINANCIERS FOR BENNY WENDA

Benny Wenda finances and directs murders from comfort of London

London, United Kingdom
ABCMelanesia


Benny Wenda & his murderous links

Benny Wenda lives the first-world life. Living in an upper-middle class home in Oxford, Britain, he frequently jets around the world flying business or first class. Jetting back and forth from the mega-cities of London to New York, Wellington, Melbourne, Wenda is also at home in the tropical paradise of Port Vila Vanuatu. 


The leader of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), a small band of Papuans living overseas who are pushing to annex the province of West Papua from Indonesia, Wenda receives millions of pounds collected from his network of loyal supporters. Supporters who in turn organize fund-raising events such as music concerts, corporate contributions, cultural nights, movie nights and etc.


Well-known brands & politicians behind funding

Among the corporate contributors to Benny Wenda or the ULMWP are household brands Court Lodge, Lush Cosmetics, Peter Thatchell Foundation, Bertha Foundation in the United Kingdom and the Optical Superstore in Australia.

Politicians from a number of countries also fell under the spell of Wenda. Among them are Charlot Salwai and Ralph Regenvanu the prime minister and foreign minister of Vanuatu. Others include Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of the Labour Party in the UK, Richard di Natale, the leader of the Greens in Australia and Bram van Ojik, of the Greens in the Netherlands.



Members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (WPNLA) met with PM Charlot Salwai and Cabinet, Port Vila, Vanuatu, December 2017

But the jet-set life facade of Benny Wenda hides a dark truth.

Benny Wenda's trail of murders & terrors

The organisation he heads, the ULMWP, have a strong link and chain of command with a number of armed separatist group West Papua National Liberation Army (WPNLA) in the provinces of Papua and West Papua, Indonesia.

The group and its affiliates are known and have been proven to be behind many murders, killings, kidnappings and other crimes in West Papua.

In April, Vicky Rumpaisum, an army private was murdered by the group. This Papuan native was on patrol in Timika when he was shot in cold blood by a group linked to the ULMWP and Benny Wenda. Private Rumpaisum was a decorated army private who have served as a peace keeper for the United Nations in Lebanon.

Then there is the story of the shooting dead of a Sandi Novian, an army private first class who was doing his weekly shopping on 13 February 2018 at the local market in Sinak Papua. 

As reported by Reuters and Radio New Zealand, five members of the separatist criminal group armed with guns and machetes attacked and murdered the private in the market in front of the public.

ABC Melanesia Sources can now reveal that some of those funds received by Benny Wenda and the ULMWP ultimately reaches the WPNLA and its affiliate groups. Money which in turn is used to finance and arm the separatist groups in West Papua to kill civilians and security forces indiscriminately.

The Vanuatu Daily Post reported on 10 February 2018 of a statement by Jacob (Yakob) Prai, the founder of the Free West Papua Movement or Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM), the armed wing of the separatist group:


“I as the founder of the Free West Papua Movement or Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM) want to acknowledge and support the United Liberation Movement of West Papua that it is a political organisation that carries the spirit of OPM that will continue the struggle and fulfill its final mission, which is establishing the full independence and sovereign Republic of West Papua."
It was further revealed that Benny Wenda met with Mr Prai in Sweden on 28 December 2017. Sources reveal that Mr Prai reported a number of "military operation" conducted by the OPM on the direct orders of Benny Wenda. 


Jacob Prai, founder of the armed separatist group in West Papua revealed that he receives orders from Benny Wenda

A number of murders committed by the West Papua separatist group includes the following: 
  • 2 researchers killed during the Mapenduma hostage crisis, 1996;
  • 26 people abducted at Mapenduma, including researchers from Britain, Netherlands and Indonesia;
  • 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
  • 1 police officer killed during the Banti and Kimbely Villages hostage crisis
  • 1,300 villagers from Banti and Kimbely Villages taken hostages

Emboldened by the strong political and financial support from Vanuatu PM Salwai and FM Regenvanu, sources reveal that Benny Wenda ordered his armed-wing in West Papua to inflict damage through more murders and kidnappings.

On 21 February 2018, Radio New Zealand online reported that "West Papua Liberation Army in Fresh Campaign Against Indonesia".

The allegation of complicity of PM Charlot Salwai and FM Ralph Regenvanu in past murders and kidnappings and active support for the separatist group future criminal acts is a serious one. 

Failure for Salwai and Regenvanu to answer those serious charges amounts to them having blood on their hands.


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




The Mapenduma hostages, Papua, 1996




Benny Wenda (left) and Kelly Kwalik (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. 


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




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




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)

A West Papuan separatist group during a force and weapons parade


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

ABCMelanesia

Thursday, March 29, 2018

NEWS FLASH: WEST PAPUA GROUP STAND NO CHANCE TO BE MEMBER OF MSG

PNG FM Pato: rules must reject ULMWP membership in the MSG

Wellington, New Zealand
ABCMelanesia


FM Rimbink Pato, photo courtesy of Radio New Zealand
Speaking to Radio New Zealand, Foreign Minister of PNG Mr Rimbink Pato made clear that the United Liberation for West Papua (ULMWP) will never become a member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG). 

FM Rimbink Pato chairing MSG Meeting in Port Moresby, PNG, February 2018

Minister Pato stated that:


"There is no authority permitted by the MSG constitution which allows membership of non-sovereign states, or loose entities, as it were."

Papua New Guinea is the current chair of the MSG, and recently hosted the Summit in Port Moresby.

Mr Pato further said that PNG fully supported Indonesian sovereignty over its provinces and territories including the provinces of Papua and West Papua.

International observers and academics universally agree of the sovereignty of Indonesia over its provinces, and that this have been verified and accepted by the United Nations consistent with international law. 


"The case of the ULMWP is different to that of New Caledonia's FLNKS Kanaks," Minister Pato explained.




The FLNKS, is on the list of the Special Committee on Decolonization or the C-24. 

While West Papua was never on the list, because West Papua is not a colony and according to the United Nations, it is an integral part of Indonesia.

Despite the water tight legal argument, Benny Wenda, the self-proclaimed leader of the ULMWP continues to corrupt leaders of Pacific nations. 

Among those are PM Charlot Salwai and FM Ralph Regenvanu of Vanuatu and Manasseh Sogavare, the disgraced former PM of Solomon Islands.

Support given by Salwai and Regenvanu to the ULMWP leaders included diplomatic support to access and participate in United Nations conferences, advocacy by Vanuatu diplomats in many international forums, travel allowances, business class air tickets, hotel accommodation and cash transfers.

However, sources reveal that part of those cash transfers and other support by Salwai and Regenvanu, are being used by Benny Wenda and Oktovianus Mote to finance and arm the separatist groups in West Papua.

The Vanuatu Daily Post reported on 10 February 2018 of a statement by Jacob (Yakob) Prai, the founder of the Free West Papua Movement or Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM), the armed wing of the separatist group:


“I as the founder of the Free West Papua Movement or Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM) want to acknowledge and support the United Liberation Movement of West Papua that it is a political organisation that carries the spirit of OPM that will continue the struggle and fulfill its final mission, which is establishing the full independence and sovereign Republic of West Papua."
It was further revealed that Benny Wenda met with Mr Prai in Sweden on 28 December 2017. Sources reveal that Mr Prai reported a number of "military operation" conducted by the OPM on the direct orders of Benny Wenda. 


Jacob Prai, founder of the armed separatist group in West Papua revealed that he receives orders from Benny Wenda


The latest victim of the armed separatist group was Private First Class Sandi Novian. Novian was killed by the group on 13 February 2018 while doing his weekly groceries in Sinak Market, a local West Papua market.


A number of murders committed by the West Papua separatist group includes the following: 
  • 2 researchers killed during the Mapenduma hostage crisis, 1996;
  • 26 people abducted at Mapenduma, including researchers from Britain, Netherlands and Indonesia;
  • 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
  • 1 police officer killed during the Banti and Kimbely Villages hostage crisis
  • 1,300 villagers from Banti and Kimbely Villages taken hostages

Emboldened by the strong political and financial support from Vanuatu PM Salwai and FM Regenvanu, sources reveal that Benny Wenda ordered his armed-wing in West Papua to inflict damage through more murders and kidnappings.

On 21 February 2018, Radio New Zealand online reported that "West Papua Liberation Army in Fresh Campaign Against Indonesia".

The allegation of complicity of PM Charlot Salwai and FM Ralph Regenvanu in past murders and kidnappings and active support for the separatist group future criminal acts is a serious one. 

Failure for Salwai and Regenvanu to answer those serious charges amounts to them having blood on their hands.


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




The Mapenduma hostages, Papua, 1996




Benny Wenda (left) and Kelly Kwalik (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. 


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




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




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)

A West Papuan separatist group during a force and weapons parade


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

ABCMelanesia

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

BREAKING NEWS: BLOODS ON THEIR HANDS!

Vanuatu PM & FM allegedly complicit in murders committed by separatist group!

Port Vila
ABCMelanesia

Benny Wenda, the leader of the ULMWP directs armed separatist group in West Papua


Justice may finally catch-up with Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai and Foreign Minister Ralph Regenvanu. 

After eluding the courts for the alleged multi-million dollar Ambae humanitarian aid corruption, Salwai and Regenvanu are now implicated in much more serious allegations: complicity in murders and kidnappings. 

Since many years before becoming PM and a cabinet member in February 2016, Salwai and Regenvanu have been on the public record as giving political, financial and other support to the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP). 

Specifically, the pair has given significant assets and financial support directly to Benny Wenda the leader of the ULMWP, Oktovianus Mote and other executives of the ULMWP. 

The most recent support was the granting of a plot of land and building in Port Vila for the exclusive use of the ULMWP in early December 2017.

At the handing over ceremony, FM Regenvanu stated:

"The Council of Ministers has agreed to assist the ULMWP by providing a lease title on which is a newly-renovated office building which will become the Office of the ULMWP in Vanuatu."

Other support given by Salwai and Regenvanu to the ULMWP leaders included diplomatic support to access and participate in United Nations conferences, advocacy by Vanuatu diplomats in many international forums, travel allowances, business class air tickets, hotel accommodation and cash transfers.


However, sources reveal that part of those cash transfers and other support by Salwai and Regenvanu, are being used by Benny Wenda and Oktovianus Mote to finance and arm the separatist groups in West Papua.

The Vanuatu Daily Post reported on 10 February 2018 of a statement by Jacob (Yakob) Prai, the founder of the Free West Papua Movement or Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM), the armed wing of the separatist group:

“I as the founder of the Free West Papua Movement or Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM) want to acknowledge and support the United Liberation Movement of West Papua that it is a political organisation that carries the spirit of OPM that will continue the struggle and fulfill its final mission, which is establishing the full independence and sovereign Republic of West Papua."
It was further revealed that Benny Wenda met with Mr Prai in Sweden on 28 December 2017. Sources reveal that Mr Prai reported a number of "military operation" conducted by the OPM on the direct orders of Benny Wenda. 

Jacob Prai, founder of the armed separatist group in West Papua revealed that he receives orders from Benny Wenda


The latest victim of the armed separatist group was Private First Class Sandi Novian. Novian was killed by the group on 13 February 2018 while doing his weekly groceries in Sinak Market, a local West Papua market.

A number of murders committed by the West Papua separatist group includes the following: 
  • 2 researchers killed during the Mapenduma hostage crisis, 1996;
  • 26 people abducted at Mapenduma, including researchers from Britain, Netherlands and Indonesia;
  • 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
  • 1 police officer killed during the Banti and Kimbely Villages hostage crisis
  • 1,300 villagers from Banti and Kimbely Villages taken hostages

Emboldened by the strong political and financial support from Vanuatu PM Salwai and FM Regenvanu, sources reveal that Benny Wenda ordered his armed-wing in West Papua to inflict damage through more murders and kidnappings.

On 21 February 2018, Radio New Zealand online reported that "West Papua Liberation Army in Fresh Campaign Against Indonesia".

The allegation of complicity of PM Charlot Salwai and FM Ralph Regenvanu in past murders and kidnappings and active support for the separatist group future criminal acts is a serious one. 

Failure for Salwai and Regenvanu to answer those serious charges amounts to them having blood on their hands.

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




The Mapenduma hostages, Papua, 1996




Benny Wenda (left) and Kelly Kwalik (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. 


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



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



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)

A West Papuan separatist group during a force and weapons parade


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

ABCMelanesia

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

BREAKING NEWS: BIZARRE SEXUAL HABITS OF VANUATU PUBLIC FIGURES EXPOSED!

Politicians, media figures and bankers among those paying for sex in Vanuatu. PM refused to comment.

Port Vila, Vanuatu
ABCMelanesia



Anonymous prostitutes. Photo courtesy of Bay View


A Ni-Vanuatu female has filed a formal complaint to the Vanuatu police naming a number of high profile individuals who have "procured, aided or facilitated" in her prostitution. 

The Yumi Toktok Stret News reported that:


"The complaint lodged names well-known individuals in Port Vila who have been paying a Vanuatu citizen money in exchange for sex."

The complaint stated that the female received money ranging from 15,000VT to 20,000VT.


The formal complaint lodged by the Ni-Van female to the Vanuatu Police. Photo courtesy of YTS.


Yumi Toktok Stret (YTS) News referred to "a woman from Mele Village" who have as her clients many "high profile expats and locals", including "a senior staff at Vanuatu Daily Post, an executive from Vanuatu BSP Bank and many MPs."

A representative from the Vanuatu Daily Post group and its Media Director, Dan McGarry disputed the report saying that "No one was charged with prostitution."

The Vanuatu Daily Post went so far as to hire the services of a law firm to file a complaint and threat of legal action to Yumi Toktok Stret News.




A letter from Vanuatu Daily Post lawyer to Yumi Toktok Stret News


It is not immediately clear whether Prime Minister Charlot Salwai, its cabinet members or MPs are implicated in the case.

The Vanuatu Prime Minister Office refused to comment on the ongoing case.

It was previously reported that PM Charlot Salwai misled and lied to Pope Francis while making a call to His Holiness last November and accusations that the PM stole $2 million in aid money.

The Vanuatu Police is investigating the matter.


ABCMelanesia

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