West Papuan activist to address Vanuatu MPs

Benny Wenda /Photo ABC

A West Papuan activist addressed Vanuatu MPs on Wednesday in a bid to have the Indonesian province granted observer status at the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

West Papuan activist Benny Wenda was set to address Vanuatu MPs on Wednesday in a bid for their support for the Indonesian province to be given observer status at the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

Mr Wenda is on an international tour trying to gain support for the people of the province and their push for autonomy.

Vanuatu has a long history of providing help and assistance for those West Papuans who have left their homeland.

Indonesia has significantly increased its assistance and aid to Vanuatu, and Mr Wenda is concerned it's being done to convince Vanuatu's leaders to back away from that support.

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West Papuan activist to address Vanuatu MPs | ABC Radio Australia