Page 31 - IB FEB 2017

West Papua
Slip, slipping away - Indon losing Melanesia

shy. Prime Minister Charlot Salwai raised
eyebrows when he not only met with
the ULMWP leadership, but accepted the
salute of a contingent of freedom fighters
in full military regalia.
The meeting took place at the same
moment as MSG foreign ministers met to
consider rule changes that, if enacted, will
almost inevitably result in full member-
ship for the ULMWP.
The MSG has traditionally operated on
consensus. If these rule changes pass
muster, this will no longer be the case. It
is a near certainty that Indonesia will do
its utmost to avert this.

Sogavare’s inspired approach
Sogavare has demonstrated an in-
Campaigner ... spired approach to the situation: If the
Sogavare MSG won’t stand for decolonisation in
the Pacific, he asks, what is it good for?
Old friend... Denial ... This rhetoric has become a chorus, with
Natuman KIlman
senior politicians in Vanuatu and Kanaky
joining in.
Sogavare is, in short, embarked on his
own march to Selma. And he is willing
collusion on West Papua. did have a hand in Kilman’s palace coup, to allow the MSG to suffer the slings and
But even with Vanuatu wavering, some- the tactic hasn’t worked since. A pair of arrows of Indonesian opprobrium. He is,
thing happened at the June 2015 Honiara no confidence motions - not very coinci- in short, willing to allow the MSG to die
meeting that surprised everyone. Solomon dentally on the eve of yet another MSG for their sins.
Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Soga- leaders’ summit - failed even to reach the Whether we agree or not with the inde-
vare stage-managed a diplomatic coup, debate stage. pendence campaign, there is no denying
a master class in Melanesian mediation. the genius of Sogavare’s ploy. His willing-
In June 2015, I wrote that the “Solo- Kanaky support never wavered ness to sacrifice the MSG for the cause
monic decision by the Melanesian Spear- Kanaky’s support for West Papuan in- takes away the one lever that Indonesia
head Group to cut the baby in half and dependence has never wavered, but given had in Melanesia.
boost the membership status of both the their semi-governmental status, and their His key role in orchestrating an end
ULMWP and Indonesia is an example of staunch socialist platform, Jakarta would run around the Pacific Islands Forum’s
the Melanesian political mind at work. be hard pressed to find a lever it could wilful silence is another trademark move.
Valuing collective peace over individual usefully pull. When human rights concerns were simply
justice, group prosperity over individual For his part, Sogavare has survived glossed over in the communiqué, he and
advancement, and allowing unabashed more than one attempt to topple him. His others orchestrated a chorus of calls for
self-interest to leaven the sincerity of the own party leaders explicitly referenced his attention to the issue in the UN General
entire process, our leaders have placed leadership on the West Papuan question Assembly.
their stamp on what just might be an when they tried to oust him by withdraw- Manasseh Sogavare and his Pacific al-
indelible historical moment”. ing their support. lies have found a strategy that is making
Since then, the sub-regional dynamic In a masterful - and probably unlawful the advancement of the West Papuan
has undergone a transformation. Kilman’s - manoeuvre, Sogavare retained his hold independence movement inexorable. As
administration suffered a collapse of on power by getting the other coalition Ghandi demonstrated in India, as with Dr
unprecedented proportions following cor- members to endorse him as their leader. King’s campaign for civil rights showed
ruption charges against more than half of His deft handling of the onslaught has again and again, anything less than defeat
his government. raised him in the estimation of many is a victory.
The resulting public furore seems - for observers of Melanesian politics. Without losing a single major battle,
the moment at least - to have catalysed a Some claim that his dodging and weav- Indonesia is - slowly, so slowly - being
backlash against venality and personal ing has placed him in the first rank of forced from the board.
interest. Melanesia’s political pantheon. - Dan McGarry is media director of the
If the rumours are true, and Indonesia In Vanuatu as well, once bitten is twice Vanuatu Daily Post.

Islands Business, February 2017 31