Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says the issue of West Papua was raised during his State Visit to Indonesia and his meeting with President Prabowo Subianto last week.
Speaking to FijiLive, Rabuka said Fiji is mindful of Indonesia’s stance when our country went through its political turmoil in 1987, where Indonesia stood firm in their recognition and respect of Fiji’s sovereignty and that is what he reciprocated with President Subianto.
This was a different approach to 2023, when Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and PNG Prime Minister James Marape were appointed ‘Special Envoy’ to Indonesia to discuss pressing issues surrounding West Papua.
Both Rabuka and Marape met with the then-President Joko Widodo.
Then Rabuka proposed to the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Meeting to send a representative to Indonesia to facilitate dialogue on the issues of human rights violation against West Papuans.
He said these efforts are an extension of his ongoing work to nurture the concept of the Pacific as a ‘Zone of Peace’ and this was a crucial step forward.
However, the Prime Minister said Fiji now respects the sovereignty of the Indonesian Government.
Rabuka watered down the idea that there was no mention of anything concerning West Papua during his meeting with a West Papuan Cabinet Member.
He said there was a bigger Melanesian population in Indonesia, who do not share the same sentiments.
