3 Dec 2014

Ni-Vanuatu convinced about West Papua path

7:23 pm on 3 December 2014

Vanuatu's former prime minister, Barak Sope, says the people of his country are convinced that West Papua will one day gain its independence from Indonesia.

In 2000, Mr Sope asked the United Nations for West Papua to be officially added to its decolonisation list.

Mr Sope says this week's West Papua Unification meeting will provide an important step in forming a unified West Papuan bid for membership in the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

Former Vanuatu Prime Minister Barak Sope.

Former Vanuatu Prime Minister Barak Sope. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades

He says that once in the MSG, West Papuans will push for independence.

"That's the next step. The MSG countries, like they did for New Caledonia and Tahiti, they will do so for West Papua, for them to become listed on the committee for decolonisation of the UN.

Vanuatu's former prime minister Barak Sope.