Kaloran appointed ULMWP Special Envoy
By Len Garae – Daily Post Vanuatu
Vanuatu now has a new Interim Special Envoy for the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP).
He is Mr. Morris Kaloran, formerly the Interim Deputy Foreign Minister to West Papua.
People have questioned how someone from Lumbukuti village, one of Tongoa Island’s 14 villages, became appointed to such an important role for another country’s diplomatic mission.
Even during the ULMWP’s urgent campaign in Fiji before last year’s Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Meeting in Port Vila, where they sought Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s support for ULMWP’s application for full membership to the MSG. Mr. Rabuka’s side was reportedly surprised to find out that Mr. Kaloran was not from West Papua but from Vanuatu, married to a Fijian.
The truth is, West Papua Leaders recognised Mr. Kaloran for his unfailing commitment to the cause of West Papua’s struggle for the past 24 years. This dedication dates back to his university days in Australia, where he worked closely with West Papua leaders, including Mr. Jacob Rumbiak.
When asked how he got his new job, Mr. Kaloran said he was told about it right after Mr. Benny Wenda became the Interim President of ULMWP. This happened during a big meeting with 5,000 people from West Papua, called the Jayapura Summit, which took place in November 2023.
He explained that his appointment happened because there were big changes in how ULMWP is run, starting with Mr. Wenda’s appointment.
Mr. Wenda has gone back to London, where he and his family live. Mr. Kaloran mentioned that Mr. Wenda is now in the Scottish Parliament, working to support the struggle for West Papua.