PAPUANS FIGHT FOR INDEPENDENCE

Since the Indonesian invasion of West Papua at the end of December 1961, the Papuan people have never ceased their resistance against Indonesian colonial rule.

Today, armed clashes between the TPNPB (West Papua National Liberation Army) and the TNI (Indonesian National Army) occur frequently, especially in regions such as Nduga, Intan Jaya, Puncak Papua, Puncak Jaya, Maybrat, Yahukimo, and the Bintang Mountains. Indonesian media often portray these confrontations by praising the Indonesian military as heroes while labeling Papuan fighters as bandits. Papuans who peacefully advocate for independence are often dismissed as traitors working for foreign interests.

To counter these misleading narratives, here is a brief overview of the history of the Papuan struggle for independence:

The movement began in the 1950s when several Papuan leaders demanded independence from Dutch colonial rule. During this period, multiple Papuan political parties emerged.

On October 19, 1961, under Dutch administration, the parliament of Dutch New Guinea (Niew Guinea Raad) established key foundations of the emerging Papuan nation:

National anthem: O my land Papua

State emblem: the Mambruk bird

Currency: Florin

Flag: Morning Star

Name of nation: Papua

Territory name: West Papua

On December 1, 1961, with the consent of the Queen of the Netherlands, independence was proclaimed for the entire territory of West Papua. This decolonization was achieved peacefully and without bloodshed.

However, three weeks later, Indonesia invaded the territory, abruptly ending the Dutch-led decolonization process in favor of annexation by Indonesia. In August 1962, a tripartite agreement was signed in New York between the Netherlands, Indonesia, and the United States, placing West Papua under United Nations trusteeship. This agreement was intended to pave the way for a referendum to let the Papuan people decide whether to become independent or remain part of Indonesia. On May 1, 1963, the UN transferred its mandate to Indonesia, marking the start of Indonesian occupation.

Concerned by growing abuses from the Indonesian military, Eliezer Y. Bonai, then Governor of West Papua, petitioned UNTEA (United Nations Temporary Executive Authority) in May 1964 to expedite the referendum. The Indonesian military responded by arresting Bonai and imprisoning him in a camp. Despite this, Papuan independence activists continued to assert their rights.

In July 1965, in Manokwari, leaders including Terry Aronggear, Barent and Lodewik Mandacan, and Feri and Permenas Awom organized a peaceful protest against Indonesian military abuses and looting. The demonstration turned violent after two Indonesians were injured, prompting the Indonesian army to fire indiscriminately on the crowd, killing between 1,000 and 2,000 Papuans. This tragedy drove some Papuans to take up arms, leading to the creation of the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement (OPM).

In the summer of 1969, Indonesia staged a rigged referendum called the People's Consultative Assembly (PEPERA), officially annexing Papua. In response, Jacob Pray and other Papuan leaders declared the establishment of the State of Papua at Victoria Waris Fort (now Keerom Regency).

During the 1970s, non-violent resistance took cultural forms, especially through music groups such as the Black Brothers and Mambesak. Facing intimidation, both groups were forced into exile in the Netherlands. In 1984, singer Arnold Ap was assassinated by elite Indonesian forces known as Kopassanda, now Kopassus.

In the late 1980s, Dr. Tom Wainggai led the independence movement, proclaiming Western Melanesia in 1988. The Indonesian government under General Suharto responded by arresting hundreds of Papuan activists, including Wainggai, who died in Cipinang prison in Jakarta in 1996.

From 1999 to 2001, during Indonesia’s democratic transition, Tom Beanal and Theys Eluay led the movement with a focus on dialogue and international advocacy. Tragically, in November 2001, Theys Eluay, then president of the Papuan Council Presidium, was kidnapped and murdered by elite Indonesian Kopassus troops.

In October 2011, at the Third Papuan Congress, the Federal Republic of West Papua was proclaimed by Forkorus Yaboisembut and Edison Waromi. They, along with about 350 other activists, were arrested; four were shot dead on the spot.

History shows that every time a Papuan independence movement emerges, the Indonesian government acts swiftly to suppress it. This response contrasts sharply with the Dutch colonial approach, which did not resort to killing Indonesian independence leaders like Sukarno and Hatta.

In December 2014, Papuan activists sought to unite their efforts again. From Port Vila in Vanuatu, they established the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), led by Octovianus Mote and Benny Wenda. The ULMWP is recognized as a member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).

Despite decades of violence and oppression by the Indonesian colonial regime, the Papuan people remain steadfast in their peaceful and dignified fight for independence. It is now crucial for the international community—starting with Melanesia, the Pacific, Africa, and the Caribbean—to support their struggle.