The leader of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), Benny Wenda, recently declared the formation of an interim government for West Papua and declared himself interim president. Is this the starting point for the liberation of West Papua? Let’s investigate further!
What is ULMWP?
The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) unites the three main political independence movements fighting for the independence of West New Guinea (West Papua) under a single umbrella organization. The ULMWP was formed on 7 December 2014 in Vanuatu by uniting the Federal Republic of West Papua (NRFPB), the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation (WPNCL), and the National Parliament of West Papua. TIN).
The Liberation of West Papua Does Not Make Sense. Why?
The liberation of West Papua was annexed by Indonesia decades ago, leading to a prolonged conflict. A tribal chief who lives overseas recently declared himself president of the embattled territory.
Even the controversial figure who now lives in the UK expressed his desire to meet President Joko Widodo to discuss the sustainability of West Papua. Benny, in his statement, mentioned the importance of ending the conflict that occurred on Earth of Cenderawasih. One of them is through communication with the government of the Republic of Indonesia and discussions through international mediation mechanisms.
Military and defense observer Wibisono said Indonesia must act decisively on Benny Wenda’s statement claiming to have built the West Papuan government. According to him, President Jokowi must issue a Presidential Instruction so as not to further adversely affect the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia.
Liberation in West Papua is Increasing Pressure on Indigenous Populations
The outside world has ignored chiefly the ongoing violence in West Papua. The government has recently restricted access to international media, scholars, and UN rights officials.
One of the world’s most remote and underdeveloped regions is West Papua. It occupies the western half of New Guinea, the second-largest island in the world after Greenland, and is divided into the confusingly titled provinces of Papua and West Papua. It is home to around four million people. The country of Papua New Guinea occupies the eastern half of the island.
More than 250 tribes and more than 400 languages make up the population of West Papua. Although there is a lack of reliable demographic information, Indigenous Papuans have likely lost ground to immigrants from neighboring islands.
Due to the liberation of West Papua, native Papuans commonly encounter racism and discrimination.
A Rapid Escalation of Violence during the Liberation
More than the whole of Indonesia combined, West Papua has 38 prisoners of conscience, according to Amnesty International. According to the organization, most people are accused of treason for peacefully and legally expressing their opinions.
Human Rights and Peace in Papua organization, reported last week that the current conflict had uprooted 60,000 Papuans.
ULMWP and Its Six Demands
The ULMWP submitted six demands to the Indonesian government in October 2019, but the Indonesian government ignored the demands. As Chair of the ULMWP, Wenda demanded that the Indonesian government immediately implement a referendum. Thay demand to do that to determine the independence of West Papua. The international community also mediated these demands. The demands are based on the will and sovereignty of the West Papuan people. It has been shown in a 2017 petition signed by 1.8 million West Papuans.
Liberation in West Papua is ‘A Publicity Stunt’
While representing Indonesia at the UN General Assembly meeting in New York, spokeswoman for the foreign ministry Arrmanatha Nasir dismissed the West Papuan petition as mere theater.
Since his election in 2014, Indonesian President Joko Widodo has made a concerted effort to highlight the conflict of the liberation of West Papua and focus on the national government’s commitment to improving the country’s easternmost province. He has prioritized connectivity and infrastructure development and has traveled there more than six times.
The western half of the island of New Guinea comprises Papua and West Papua, which Indonesia governs. For more than 50 years, the region’s political dominance has been in dispute. Indonesia has frequently been charged with egregious human rights abuses and the brutal repression of the region’s independence movement.
