THE West Papua International spokesperson for the Free West Papua Campaign has visited the Malaita Provincial capital, Auki, for the first time.
Raki Ap, who is based in the Netherlands, arrived in the country on Monday last week.
He visited Auki last Friday where he conducted an information-sharing session about the threats his people of the Melanesian region of West Papua continue to suffer in the hands of Indonesia since 1963.
The information-sharing session held at Auki Central Market attracted many ordinary Malaitans who were happy to get firsthand information regarding the struggle of West Papuans for self-determination.
Speaking to Solomon Star Auki in an interview after the information-sharing session, Mr Ap said he was happy to come to Auki to share the message of hope and the dream of his people of West Papua with his Melanesian brothers and sisters here in Malaita.
It is his hope that his brothers and sisters from Malaita would put pressure on their leaders to take a stand in favor of West Papua to liberate them from the hands of Indonesia.
Members of the public who were part of the information sharing session walked away with shirts bearing the Free West Papua slogan.
Mr Ap, who was accompanied by local supporters of the Free West Papua campaign left Auki yesterday morning back to Honiara after what is regarded as a successful trip to Malaita Province.
By WILSON SAENI in Auki
