Vanuatu’s Prime Minister Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas is in the Solomon Islands capital of Honiara today to attend the Melanesian Spearhead Group Summit.
Prior to his departure yesterday morning, Mr Salwai said the MSG leaders meeting will be deliberating on the appointment of the sub-regional Secretariat’s Director General.
Earlier, Fijian diplomat, Amena Yauvoli was appointed by the chairman of the MSG, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Sogavare as Director General of the Melanesian Spearhead Group but this appointment was disputed by Vanuatu causing delays in formalizing this position.
Vanuatu, whose candidate of choice was its diplomat to Brussels, Roy Mickey Joy, claimed there were deficiencies in the process for the appointment of Mr Yauvoli.
It is now understood that the differences in the appointment have been settled and the MSG leaders will be meeting in Honiara to endorse the appointment of a new Director General.
Vanuatu will also be lobbying for West Papua’s full membership and to remove Indonesia’s status in the sub-regional grouping.
Prime Minister Salwai is accompanied on the trip by Foreign Minister, Bruno Leingkon, his Parliamentary secretary, Johnny Koanapo, his Director General and other officials.
Meanwhile, in his absence, the Deputy Prime Minister Joe Natuman is acting prime minister.