Papua New Guinea's former Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare says Melanesia is a divided region which needs more unity if it is to prosper and stand on its own feet.
Speaking at the plenary session of the 19th Melanesian Spearhead Group Leaders Summit in Noumea on Friday, Sir Michael said the group had come a long way in its first twenty five years but that internal divisions could hold it back from reaching its potential.
The Governor of PNG's East Sepik province said that the MSG's potential is enormous.
"In melanesia we are also very divided. We have to unite. The only course we can take is when we are united people you can beat your enemy, your enemy are people who feel that they are taking care of you and do everything possible so you don't become independent person, you don't stand up on your own and you don't express yourself, they feel that they govern you."
Sir Michael Somare.