West Papua's struggle is to save the global environment.

Exploitation of West Papua's natural resources is going mad. 

Mining license expanded

On May 30, Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) granted an extension of the Special Mining Business License to PT Freeport Indonesia, a subsidiary of the American giant Freeport McMoRan that manages one of the world's largest gold and copper mine, until its reserves run out. At the same time, President Jokowi also allowed Islamic organizations to manage the mining sector.

Both decisions are considered inappropriate, as they risk triggering new agrarian conflicts with local indigenous communities, which ultimately resulting in social inequality. This is especially true in West Papua, a region rich in mineral reserves that was annexed by Indonesia in the 1960s. 

Exploitation for development

Jokowi, whose presidential mandate is due to expire in October this year, seems to be preparing the way for his successors to optimally exploit West Papua's natural wealth. For critical thinkers, there is no doubt that the Golden Indonesian dream promoted by the Jokowi regime and its successors is built on the tears and blood of West Papuans.

Responding to the increasingly alarming depletion of West Papua's natural resources, Markus Haluk, secretary of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) firmly stated: "We stand against the looting of West Papua's natural resources. Curse those who continue to hand it over to the criminal oligarchs." 

Oppression begets resistance

While civil resistance continues to take place in cities across West Papua, in the hinterland where new mining concessions are located, guerrilla attacks by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) against the Indonesian army have intensified.

It is time for the world to realize that the West Papuans' struggle is not only for self-determination but also to save the global environment.