The Solomon Islands and Vanuatu say they will support the United Liberation Movement for West Papua's bid for full membership to the Melanesian Spearhead Group at the organisation's upcoming summit in Papua New Guinea next month.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Solomon Islands' Prime Minister's office said it "acknowledged the intention by the Vanuatu Prime Minister to move a motion at the upcoming MSG Leaders' Summit for the elevation of the ULMWP's membership of the MSG from Observer status to Full Membership status".
"Your decision for the motion touches my heart and has my full support," Solomon Islands PM Manasseh Sogavare said in the statement. "I hope that our other colleagues will throw in their support behind this important agenda."
Indonesia was admitted to the MSG as an Associate Member in June 2015, while West Papua – a province of Indonesia – was granted Observer status. Analysts have cautioned that the move by the two Pacific nations to support the ULMWP's full membership may be met with blowback from Indonesia.
In a follow-up statement released on Friday, Prime Minister Sogavare said "Indonesia was granted Associate membership of the MSG to allow for dialogue between Jakarta and the MSG Leaders on the issue of West Papua."
It added: "Indonesia's refusal of [Mr Sogavare's] request for dialogue gives him all the reason to take this matter back to the MSG, adding that Indonesia has crossed the line so we need to take some tough stance."