Free Papua Movement

{{See also|West New Guinea dispute}}

File:Organisasi Papua Merdeka.jpg)]]

During World War II, the Netherlands East Indies (later Indonesia) were guided by Sukarno to supply oil for the Japanese war effort and subsequently declared independence as the Republic of Indonesia on 17 August 1945. The Netherlands New Guinea (Western New Guinea, then a part of the Netherlands East Indies) and Australian administered territories of Papua and British New Guinea resisted Japanese control and were allies with the American and Australian forces during the Pacific War.

The pre-war relationship of the Netherlands and its New Guinea colony was replaced with the promotion of Papuan civil and other services{{cite web|url=http://wpik.org/Src/un_report_1961.html|title=Report on Netherlands New Guinea for the year 1961|publisher=Wpik.org|access-date=2014-06-28}} until Indonesian administration began in 1963. Though there was agreement between Australia and the Netherlands by 1957 that it would be preferable for their territories to unite for independence, the lack of development in the Australian territories and the interests of the United States kept the two regions separate. The OPM was founded in December 1963, with the announcement that "We do not want modern life! We refuse any kinds of development: religious groups, aid agencies, and governmental organizations just Leave Us Alone!{{sic}}"{{cite web|url=http://www.start.umd.edu/start/data_collections/tops/terrorist_organization_profile.asp?id=4023|title=Free Papua Movement (OPM)|work=Global Terrorism Database|publisher=University of Maryland, College Park|access-date=2011-04-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623122002/http://www.start.umd.edu/start/data%5Fcollections/tops/terrorist_organization_profile.asp?id=4023|archive-date=2012-06-23|url-status=dead}} Originally the group was a nonviolent spiritual movement based in cargoism and was led by Aser Demotekay, former head of Demta District. His policy of nonviolence and cooperation with Indonesian government, led to the creation of a more radical splinter group under Jacob Prai, former student of Demotekay.{{cite book |last=Djopari|first=John R.G.|date=1993 |title= Pemberontakan Organisasi Papua Merdeka|location=Jakarta|publisher=Gramedia Widiasarana Indonesia|language=id}}

Netherlands New Guinea held elections in January 1961 and a New Guinea Council was inaugurated in April 1961. However, in Washington, D.C. there was a desire for Indonesia to release CIA pilot Allen Pope,{{cite web|url=https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1961-63v23/d153|title=Memorandum From Secretary of State Rusk to President Kennedy|publisher=History.state.gov|access-date=2014-06-28}} and there was a proposal for United Nations trusteeship of West New Guinea,{{cite web|url=https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1961-63v23/d160|title=Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs (Kohler) to Secretary of State Rusk|publisher=History.state.gov|access-date=2014-06-28}} Indonesian President Sukarno said he was willing 'to borrow the hand of the United Nations to transfer the territory to Indonesia',{{cite web|url=https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1961-63v23/d172|title=Document 172 – Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XXIII, Southeast Asia – Historical Documents – Office of the Historian|publisher=History.state.gov|date=24 April 1961|access-date=2014-06-28}} and the National Security Advisor McGeorge Bundy began to lobby U.S. President John F. Kennedy to get the administration of West New Guinea transferred to Indonesia.{{cite web|url=http://wpik.org/Src/950306_FRUS_XXIII_1961-63.html#Indonesia|title=U.S. Dept. of State Foreign Relations, 1961–63, Vol XXIII, Southeast Asia|publisher=Wpik.org|access-date=2014-06-28}} The resulting New York Agreement was drafted by Robert Kennedy and signed by the Netherlands and Indonesia before being approved subject to the Charter of the United Nations article 85{{cite web|url=http://un.org/en/documents/charter/chapter12.shtml|title=Charter of the United Nations, International Trusteeship System|publisher=Un.org|access-date=2014-06-28|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140712173908/http://www.un.org/en/documents/charter/chapter12.shtml|archive-date=2014-07-12 }} in General Assembly resolution 1752{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/documents/ga/res/17/ares17.htm|title=17th session of the General Assembly|publisher=Un.org|access-date=2014-06-28}} on 21 September 1962.

Although the Netherlands had insisted the West New Guinea people be allowed self-determination in accord with the United Nations charter and General Assembly Resolution 1514 (XV) which was to be called the "Act of Free Choice"; the New York Agreement instead provided a seven year delay and gave the United Nations no authority to supervise the act.Text of New York Agreement Separatist groups raise the West Papua Morning Star flag each year on 1 December, which they call "Papuan independence day". An Indonesian police officer speculated that people doing this could be charged with the crime of treason, which carries the penalty of imprisonment for seven to twenty years in Indonesia.{{cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/reports/2007/papua0207/|title=Protest and Punishment Political Prisoners in Papua Report by Human Rights Watch|publisher=Hrw.org|date=21 February 2007|access-date=2014-06-28}}

In October 1968, Nicolaas Jouwe, member of the New Guinea Council and of the National Committee elected by the Council in 1962, lobbied the United Nations claiming 30,000 Indonesian troops and thousands of Indonesian civil servants were repressing the Papuan population.{{Cite web|url=http://wpik.org/Src/NYT/19681020lobbyist.pdf|title=New York Times, Papuans at U.N. score Indonesia, Lobbyists asking nations to insure fair plebiscite|access-date=7 Oct 2020}} According to US Ambassador Galbraith, the Indonesian Foreign Minister Adam Malik also believed the Indonesian military was the cause of problems in the territory and the number of troops should be reduced by at least one half. Ambassador Galbraith further described the OPM to "represent an amorphous mass of anti-Indonesia sentiment" and that "possibly 85 to 90 percent [of Papuans], are in sympathy with the Free Papua cause or at least intensely dislike Indonesians".{{cite web|url=http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB128/index.htm|title=National Security Archive at George Washington University, Document 8|publisher=Gwu.edu|access-date=2014-06-28}}

Indonesian Brigadier General Sarwo Edhie oversaw the design and conduct of the Act of Free Choice which took place from 14 July to 2 August 1969. The United Nations representative Ambassador Oritiz Sanz arrived on 22 August 1968 and made repeated requests for Indonesia to allow a one man, one vote system (a process known as a referendum or plebiscite) but these requests were refused on the grounds that such activity was not specified nor requested by the 1962 New York Agreement.{{Cite web|url=http://wpik.org/Src/NYT/19690707.pdf|title=New York Times interview July 5, 1969|access-date=7 Oct 2020}}{{Cite web|url=http://wpik.org/Src/NYT/19690511reject.pdf|title=Interview May 10, 1969|access-date=7 Oct 2020}} One thousand and twenty five Papuan elders were selected from and instructed on the required procedure as specified by the article 1962 New York Agreement. The result was a consensus for integration into Indonesia.

In response, Nicolaas Jouwe and two OPM commanders, Seth Jafeth Roemkorem and Jacob Hendrik Prai, planned to announce Papuan Independence in 1971. On 1 July 1971 Roemkorem and Prai declared a "Republic of West Papua", and drafted a constitution in 'Victoria Headquarters'.

Conflicts over strategy and suspicion between Roemkorem and Prai soon initiated a split of the OPM into two factions; Prai left in March 1976 and by December founded 'Defender of Truth', and TPN led by Roemkorem in 'Victoria Headquarters'.{{cite web | last=Indonesia | first=CNN | title=1 Desember, Sejarah Pengakuan Papua yang Dicap HUT OPM | website=nasional | date=2021-12-01 | url=https://www.cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20211130140721-20-727937/1-desember-sejarah-pengakuan-papua-yang-dicap-hut-opm | language=id | access-date=2022-04-08}} This greatly weakened OPM's ability as a centralized combat force. It remains widely used, however, invoked by both contemporary fighters and domestic and expatriate political activists.

{{For|a detailed timeline of the Papuan Conflict and OPM's activities|Papua Conflict}}

Image:FPM Fredhom Graffiti.jpg: FREDHOM {{sic}}]]

Starting from 1976, officials at mining company Freeport Indonesia received letters from the OPM threatening the company and demanding assistance in a planned uprising in the spring. The company refused to cooperate with OPM. From July until 7 September 1977, OPM insurgents carried out their threats against Freeport and cut slurry and fuel pipelines, slashed telephone and power cables, burned down a warehouse, and detonated explosives at various facilities. Freeport estimated the damage at $US123,871.23.{{Cite book|title=Foreign Investment Disputes: Cases, Materials, and Commentary|author=Bishop, R. Doak|author2=Crawford, James|author3=William Michael Reisman|publisher=Wolters Kluwer|year=2005|pages=609–611}}

In 1982 a OPM Revolutionary Council (OPMRC) was established, and under the chairmanship of Moses Werror the OPMRC has sought independence through a campaign of international diplomacy. OPMRC aims to obtain international recognition for West Papuan independence through international forums such as the United Nations, The Non-Aligned Movement of Nations, The South Pacific Forum and The Association of South East Asian Nations.

In 1984 OPM staged an attack on Jayapura, the provincial capital and a city dominated by non-Melanesian Indonesians.{{cn|date=October 2024}} The attack was quickly repelled by the Indonesian military, who followed it with broader counter-insurgency activity. This triggered an exodus of Papuan refugees, apparently supported by the OPM, into camps across the border in Papua New Guinea.{{cn|date=October 2024}}

On 14 February 1986, Freeport Indonesia received information that the OPM was again becoming active in their area, and that some of Freeport's employees were OPM members or sympathisers. On 18 February, a letter signed by a "Rebel General" warned that "On Wed. 19th, there will be some rain on Tembagapura". At around 22:00 that night several unidentified people cut Freeport's slurry and fuel pipelines by hacksaw, causing "a substantial loss of slurry, containing copper, silver and gold ores and diesel fuel." Additionally, the saboteurs set fire along the breaks in the fuel line, and shot at police that tried to approach the fires. On 14 April of that same year, OPM insurgents cut more pipelines, slashed electric wires, vandalised plumbing, and burned equipment tyres. Repair crews were attacked by OPM gunfire as they approached the sites of the damage, so Freeport requested police and military assistance.

File:LUSH Netherlands (8340418753).jpg

In separate incidents in January and August 1996, OPM captured European and Indonesian hostages; first from a research group and later from a logging camp. Two hostages from the former group were killed and the rest were released.{{cn|date=October 2024}}.

In July 1998, the OPM raised their independence flag at the Kota Biak water tower on the island of Biak. They stayed there for the following few days before the Indonesian Military broke up the group. Filep Karma was among those arrested.{{cite web|last1=Chauvel|first1=Richard|title=Filep Karma and the fight for Papua's future|url=http://insidestory.org.au/filep-karma-and-the-fight-for-papuas-future/|access-date=3 October 2017|work=Inside Story|date=6 April 2011}}

In 2009, an OPM command group led by Goliath Tabuni in Puncak Jaya Regency was featured on an undercover report about the West Papuan independence movement.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7942026.stm|title=Papua's struggle for independence|date=13 March 2009|work=BBC News|access-date=2010-05-02}}

On 24 October 2011, Adj. Comr. Dominggus Oktavianus Awes, the Mulia Police chief, was shot by unknown assailants at Mulia Airport in Puncak Jaya regency. The National Police of Indonesia alleged that the perpetrators were members of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) separatist group. The series of attacks prompted deployments of more personnel to Papua.{{cite web|last1=Saragih|first1=Bagus BT Saragih|last2=Dharma Somba|first2=Nethy|title=Police hunt for OPM rebels|url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/10/25/police-hunt-opm-rebels.html|access-date=3 October 2017|work=The Jakarta Post|date=25 October 2011}}

On 21 January 2012, armed men, believed to be members of OPM, shot and killed a civilian who was running a roadside kiosk. He was a transmigrant from West Sumatra.{{cite web|title=Antara News article|url=http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/79364/opm-gunmen-kill-civilian-in-kurilik-papua|language=id}}

On 8 January 2012, OPM conducted an attack on a public bus which caused the death of three civilians and one member of an Indonesian security force. Four others were also injured.{{cite web|title=Berita article|date=August 2011 |url=http://berita.liputan6.com/read/346831/anggota-tni-tewas-dalam-serangan-opm|language=id}}

File:Free West Papua Protest Melbourne_August_2012.jpg

On 31 January 2012, an OPM member was caught carrying {{convert|1|kg|lb}} of drugs on the Indonesian – Papua New Guinea Border. It was alleged that the drugs were intended to be sold in the city of Jayapura.{{cite web|title=Suararpembaruan article|url=http://www.suarapembaruan.com/home/anggota-opm-tertangkap-bawa-ganja-sekilo-di-perbatasan/16696|language=id|access-date=4 April 2012|archive-date=1 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801084016/http://www.suarapembaruan.com/home/anggota-opm-tertangkap-bawa-ganja-sekilo-di-perbatasan/16696|url-status=dead}}

On 8 April 2012, Indonesian media sources alleged that armed members of OPM carried out an attack on a civilian aircraft flown by Trigana Air on a scheduled service after it landed and was taxiing towards an apron at Mulia Airport on Puncak Jaya, Papua. Five armed OPM militants suddenly opened fire on the moving plane, causing it to go out of control and crash into a building. One person who died, Leiron Kogoya, a journalist for Papua Pos, had suffered a neck gunshot wound. Amongst those wounded were the pilot, Beby Astek, and co-pilot, Willy Resubun, both wounded by shrapnel; Yanti Korwa, a housewife who was hurt by shrapnel on her right arm, and her four-year-old infant, Pako Korwa, who was afflicted by shrapnel on his left hand.{{cite web|title=Viva News article|url=http://us.nasional.vivanews.com/news/read/302631-ditembaki-opm--pesawat-trigana-tabrak-rumah|language=id|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120411004451/http://us.nasional.vivanews.com/news/read/302631-ditembaki-opm--pesawat-trigana-tabrak-rumah|archive-date=2012-04-11}} In response to the allegations, West Papuan media source denied that the OPM was responsible for the attack, alleging that the Indonesian military had attacked the plane as a part of a false flag operation.{{cite web|url=https://westpapuamedia.info/2012/04/09/doubts-grow-of-opm-responsibility-for-puncak-jaya-aircraft-shooting/|title=Doubts grow of OPM responsibility for Puncak Jaya aircraft shooting|last=westpapuamedia|date=9 April 2012|access-date=18 June 2017}}

In December 2012, an Australian would-be mercenary, who was trained by a military/police security firm in Ukraine,{{citation|author=Dunigan, Molly and Petersohn, Ulrich|year=2015|title=The Markets for Force: Privatization of Security Across World Regions|publisher=University of Pennsylvania|isbn=978-081224686-5}} was arrested in Australia for planning to train the OPM.{{cite web|title=Trained by a baron and backed by Bambi, now West Papua 'freedom fighter' faces jail|date=7 December 2012|publisher=The Sydney Morning Herald|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/trained-by-a-baron-and-backed-by-bambi-now-west-papua-freedom-fighter-faces-jail-20121206-2ayc7.html|first=Dan|last=Oakes}} He later pleaded guilty to training in the use of arms or explosives with the intention of committing an offence against the Crimes (Foreign Incursions and Recruitment) Act 1978.{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/granddad-mercenary-admits-to-arms-training-20130710-2ppei.html|title=Granddad mercenary admits to arms training|date=10 July 2013|publisher=The Sydney Morning Herald|first=Dan|last=Oakes}}

On 26 April 2018, a Polish OPM sympathizer and a far-right nationalist was arrested in Wamena along with four Papuans who police described as linked to "armed criminal groups" and was charged with treason.{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/2361971b0e0a474386e6047d3ab0cd58/Polish-globe-trotter-blunders-into-Indonesia-Papua-conflict|title=Polish globe-trotter blunders into Indonesia-Papua conflict|publisher=Associated Press|date=25 September 2018|first=Stephen|last=Wright|access-date=11 February 2020}} He later sentenced five year in prison.{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/37deba597ebb4adaa3ac7186de36083b|title=Indonesia jails Polish tourist who met Papuan activists|publisher=Associated Press|date=2 May 2019|access-date=11 February 2020}}

On 1 December 2018, an armed group with ties to OPM kidnapped 25 civilian construction workers in Nduga regency, Papua. The following day, the group killed 19 of the workers and a soldier.{{cite web|last1=Tehusijarana|first1=Karina M.|title=Papua massPapua mass killing: What happened|url=https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2018/12/07/papua-mass-killing-what-happened.html|access-date=7 December 2020|publisher=The Jakarta Post|date=7 December 2018}} One of construction workers had allegedly photographed the group raising the Morning Star flag at an independence celebration - considered illegal acts by Indonesian authorities.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/2018/12/22/exclusive-chemical-weapons-dropped-papua/15453972007326|title=Chemical weapons dropped on Papua|date=22 December 2018|website=The Saturday Paper|access-date=2018-12-23}} The construction workers were building a part of the Trans Papua highway that aims to connect remote communities in Papua.{{Cite web|url=https://asiatimes.com/article/blood-on-the-tracks-of-widodos-papuan-highway/|title=Blood on the tracks of Widodo's Papuan highway|last=McBeth|first=John|website=www.atimes.com|date=5 December 2018|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-13}} A few days after the incident, the OPM allegedly sent an open letter to Indonesian president Joko Widodo, demanding Papuan independence, rejecting central government infrastructure building projects, and demanding the right for foreign journalists and aid workers to enter Papua.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20181212142114-20-353088/istana-buka-suara-soal-dugaan-surat-terbuka-opm-untuk-jokowi|title=Istana Buka Suara Soal Dugaan Surat Terbuka OPM untuk Jokowi|website=nasional|language=en|access-date=2018-12-13}} In reprisals to obtain the massacred workers' bodies, the Indonesian military allegedly carried out airstrikes on at least four villages and used white phosphorus, a chemical weapon banned by numerous countries and international organizations.{{Cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-intelligence-classified-white-phosphorus-as-chemical-weapon-516523.html|title=US intelligence classified white phosphorus as 'chemical weapon'|date=23 Nov 2005|website=The Independent|access-date=7 Oct 2020}} This was however denied by the Indonesian government.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2018/12/23/indonesia-denies-use-of-chemical-weapons-in-papua.html|title=Indonesia denies use of chemical weapons in Papua|date=24 December 2018|website=The Jakarta Post|access-date=2019-09-30}}{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-23/indonesia-military-denies-using-chemical-weapons-in-west-papua/10664402|title=Indonesian military describes reports of chemical weapon attacks on West Papuans as 'fake news'|date=23 December 2018|newspaper=ABC News|access-date=2019-09-30}}

{{main|2019 Papua protests}}

Fresh protests began on 19 August 2019 and mainly took place across Indonesian Papua in response to the arrests of 43 Papuan students in Surabaya, East Java for alleged disrespect of the Indonesian flag. Many of the protests involved thousands of participants, and some grew from local protests in Surabaya to demanding an independence referendum. In several locations, the protests turned into general riots, resulting in the destruction of government buildings in Wamena, Sorong and Jayapura. Clashes between protesters and counter-protesters and police resulted in injuries, with over 31 people killed from both the clashes and the rioting, mostly non-Papuan trapped when rioters burned houses.{{cite web |last=Purba |first=John Roy |date=2019-09-26 |title=Daftar Nama 31 Korban Tewas Kerusuhan Wamena |url=https://regional.kompas.com/read/2019/09/26/15401191/daftar-nama-31-korban-tewas-kerusuhan-wamena |access-date=2022-03-10 |website=KOMPAS.com}}

In response to the rioting, the government of Indonesia implemented an internet blackout in the region. A Reuters reporter from the Jakarta bureau described the unrest as "Papua's most serious in years".{{cite web |date=30 August 2019 |title=Indonesia urges calm in Papua after two weeks of protests |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-indonesia-papua/indonesia-urges-calm-in-papua-after-two-weeks-of-protests-idUKKCN1VK1BS?il=0 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190915101453/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-indonesia-papua/indonesia-urges-calm-in-papua-after-two-weeks-of-protests-idUKKCN1VK1BS?il=0 |archive-date=15 September 2019 |access-date=30 August 2019 |work=Reuters |language=en}}

On 25 April 2021, Special Forces major-general I Gusti Putu Danny Karya Nugraha, head of the Papua intelligence agency, was killed when he was shot in the head while in an ambush in a heavily-armed military convoy.{{Cite web |title=Indonesian intelligence official shot dead in Papua: Army |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/26/papua-intelligence-chief-killed-in-indonesia-rebel-attack |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}

On 5 March 2022, Sebby Sambom, a TPNPB-OPM spokesperson, alongside Terianus Satto supported the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, claiming alleged similarity of Ukrainian police and military treatment of the Russian minority as genocide with Indonesian police and military treatment of Papuans. TPNPB-OPM claimed Russian government support of pro-Russian separatists as justified, and claimed that both Indonesia and Ukraine are "capitalist puppets" of the United States.{{cite web|title=Dukung Rusia Serbu Ukraina, TPNPB-OPM Kecam Amerika dan Indonesia - Nasional|website=GATRAcom|date=2022-03-05|url=https://www.gatra.com/news-537398-nasional-dukung-rusia-serbu-ukraina-tpnpb-opm-kecam-amerika-dan-indonesia.html|language=id|access-date=2022-03-09}}

On 7 February 2023, Papuan separatists attacked and set fire to a plane, after taking the pilot and five passengers hostage. The passengers were soon released. The New Zealander pilot, Philip Mehrtens, remained in captivity until 21 September 2024.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-19 |title=No breakthrough in hostage Kiwi pilot talks held by Papua rebels |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/520005/no-breakthrough-in-hostage-kiwi-pilot-talks-held-by-papua-rebels |access-date=2024-09-08 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}} The flight was operated by Indonesian airline Susi Air that operates flights in and out of Papua.{{Cite web |title=Papua Separatists Burn Plane, Take N. Zealand Pilot Hostage |url=https://jakartaglobe.id/news/papua-separatists-burn-plane-take-n-zealand-pilot-hostage |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=Jakarta Globe}}{{Cite web |last=Teresia |first=Kate Lamb and Ananda |date=2023-02-07 |title=New Zealand pilot taken hostage in Indonesia, rebel group claims |url=https://www.theage.com.au/world/asia/new-zealand-pilot-taken-hostage-in-indonesia-rebel-group-claims-20230207-p5ciq4.html |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=The Age |language=en}} The TPNPB has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping and attack, stating that they would be targeting all foreigners as a part of their campaign.{{Cite web |last=Rompies |first=Chris Barrett, Karuni |date=2023-02-08 |title='Our new target is all foreigners': Papuan rebels' warning after taking Kiwi pilot hostage |url=https://www.theage.com.au/world/oceania/nz-pilot-taken-hostage-in-papua-flew-dangerous-routes-to-support-family-20230208-p5civk.html |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=The Age |language=en}} On 15 February, photos of the pilot showed him to be in relatively good health and guarded by armed insurgents from the Papua movement. The group said that he would not be freed from captivity until authorities recognise the independence of the region.{{Cite news |date=2023-02-15 |title=Rebels in Indonesia's Papua say images show abducted NZ pilot in good health |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/rebels-indonesias-papua-say-images-show-abducted-nz-pilot-good-health-2023-02-15/ |access-date=2023-02-15}} In June 2024, it was reported that the rebels wanted to free Mehrtens, but there had been "complications" including a failed rescue in April which left casualties on both sides.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-19 |title=No breakthrough in hostage Kiwi pilot talks held by Papua rebels |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/520005/no-breakthrough-in-hostage-kiwi-pilot-talks-held-by-papua-rebels |access-date=2024-09-08 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}} On 21 September 2024, Mehrtens was freed.{{Cite news |date=2024-09-21 |title=NZ pilot freed after being held hostage by armed rebels in Indonesia's Papua region for 19 months |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-21/new-zealand-pilot-phillip-mehrtens-freed-from-captivity-in-papua/104380250 |access-date=2024-09-21 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}

On 3 April 2023, four Indonesian soldiers died and another five suffered gunshot injuries in an attack led by Egianus Kogoya in Nduga, Papua.

The Free Papua Movement has many armed wings, namely:{{cite web | url=https://kupang.tribunnews.com/amp/2023/01/05/kkb-papua-punya-tiga-sayap-militer-damianus-magai-yogi-klaim-sebagai-panglima-tertinggi| title=KKB Papua Punya Tiga Sayap Militer, Damianus Magai Yogi Klaim Sebagai Panglima Tertinggi | website=POS-KUPANG.com| date=5 January 2023}}

• West Papua National Liberation Army

({{langx|id|Tentara Pembebasan Nasional Papua Barat}}; abbreviated TPNPB) (TPNPB-OPM) led by Goliath Tabuni.

• West Papua Army

({{langx|id|Tentara Papua Barat}}; abbreviated WPA) led by Damianus Magai Yogi.{{cite web | last=Rohmat | first=Rohmat | title=Ngamuk Atas Klaim Komnas HAM Temui Panglima OPM, TPNPB: Mereka Menjaring Angin | work=GATRAcom | date=2022-09-11 | url=https://www.gatra.com/news-552132-regional-ngamuk-atas-klaim-komnas-ham-temui-panglima-opm-tpnpb-mereka-menjaring-angin.html | language=id | access-date=2023-10-20}}

• West Papua Revolutionary Army

({{langx|id|Tentara Revolusi West Papua}}; abbreviated TRWP) led by Mathias Wenda.{{cite web |last1=Strangio |first1=Sebastian |title=In Papua Fighting, Indonesian Forces Claim Rebel Commander Killed |url=https://thediplomat.com/2021/05/in-papua-fighting-indonesian-forces-claim-rebel-commander-killed/ |website=The Diplomat |access-date=4 December 2021}}

• West Papua National Army

({{langx|id|Tentara Nasional Papua Barat}}; abbreviated TNPB) led by Fernando Worobay.

The internal organisation of OPM is difficult to determine. In 1996 OPM's 'Supreme Commander' was Mathias Wenda.{{cite journal|author=van Klinken, Gerry|title=OPM information|journal=Inside Indonesia|year=1996|volume=02|url=http://www.insideindonesia.org/digest/dig02.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070708033307/http://www.insideindonesia.org/digest/dig02.htm|archive-date=8 July 2007}} An OPM spokesperson in Sydney, John Otto Ondawame, says it has nine more or less independent commands. Australian freelance journalist Ben Bohane says it has seven independent commands. Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI), Indonesia's army, says the OPM has two main wings, the 'Victoria Headquarters' and 'Defenders of Truth'. The former is small, and was led by M L Prawar until he was shot dead in 1991. The latter is much larger and operates all over West Papua.

The larger organisation, or 'Defender of the Truth' or Pembela Kebenaran (henceforth PEMKA), was chaired by Jacob Prai, and Seth Roemkorem was the leader of Victoria Faction. During the killing of Prawar, Roemkorem was his commander.

Prior to this separation, TPN/OPM was one, under the leadership of Seth Roemkorem as the Commander of OPM, then the President of West Papua Provisional Government, while Jacob Prai as the Head of Senate. OPM reached its peak in organisation and management as it was structurally well organised. During this time, the Senegal Government recognised the presence of OPM and allowed OPM to open its embassy in Dakar, with Tanggahma as the ambassador.

Due to the rivalry, Roemkorem left his base and went to the Netherlands. During this time, Prai took over the leadership. John Otto Ondawame, who had left his law school in Jayapura because of being followed and threatened with death by the Indonesian ABRI day and night, became the right-hand man of Jacob Prai. It was Prai's initiative to establish OPM Regional Commanders. He appointed nine of them, most of whom were members of his own troops at the PEMKA headquarter, Skotiau, Vanimo-West Papua border.

Of those regional commanders, Mathias Wenda was the commander for region II (Jayapura – Wamena), Kelly Kwalik for Nemangkawi (Fakfak regency), Tadeus Yogi (Paniai Regency), and Bernardus Mawen for Maroke region. Tadeus Yogi died on 9 January 2009 suspected of poisoning,{{cite web|title='A safe and peaceful life is impossible for us': Story of children of Papua independence fighters (Part 1/2)|website=West Papua Daily|date=2022-01-31|url=https://en.jubi.co.id/a-safe-and-peaceful-life-is-impossible-for-us-story-of-children-of-papua-independence-fighters-part-1/|access-date=2022-03-10}} Kelly Kwalik was shot and killed on 16 December 2009,[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8415484.stm Indonesia police 'kill' Papua separatist Kelly Kwalik] BBC News, 16 December 2009 while Benard Mawen died in Kiunga hospital, PNG on 16 November 2018.{{cite web|title=Bergerilya 50 Tahun Jenderal Benard Mawen Tutup Usia|website=Suara Papua|date=2018-11-17|url=https://suarapapua.com/2018/11/17/bergerilya-50-tahun-jenderal-bernard-mawen-tutup-usia/?amp|access-date=2022-03-10}}

The armed military wing of TPNPB in Nduga, Papua is headed by Egianus Kogoya.{{Cite web |last=Arkyasa |first=Mahinda |date=2023-04-17 |title=TNI Denies 9 Soldiers Killed by Armed Group in Nduga, Papua |url=https://en.tempo.co/read/1716228/tni-denies-9-soldiers-killed-by-armed-group-in-nduga-papua |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=Tempo |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=SAPTOWALYONO |first=DIAN DEWI PURNAMASARI |date=2023-04-18 |title=Five TNI Soldiers still Sought for After a Shooting Contact in Nduga |url=https://www.kompas.id/baca/english/2023/04/18/five-tni-soldiers-still-sought-for-after-a-shooting-contact-in-nduga |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=kompas.id |language=id}}

{{portal|New Guinea}}

• United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP)
• Separatism
• Self-determination
• Mapenduma hostage crisis

{{Reflist|2}}

• {{cite journal|last1=Bell|first1=Ian|last2=Feith|first2=Herb|last3=Hatley|first3=Ron|title=The West Papuan Challenge to Indonesian Authority in Irian Jaya: Old Problems, New Possibilities|journal=Asian Survey|date=May 1986|volume=26|issue=5|pages=539–556|doi=10.2307/2644481|jstor=2644481|url=http://as.ucpress.edu/content/ucpas/26/5/539.full.pdf}}
• {{cite journal|last1=Bertrand|first1=Jacques|title="Business as Usual" in Suharto's Indonesia|journal=Asian Survey|date=May 1997|volume=3|issue=5|pages=441–452|doi=10.2307/2645520|jstor=2645520}}
• {{cite web|last1=Evans|first1=Julian|title=Last stand of Stone Age man|url=http://www.julianevans.com/last-stand-of-stone-age-man/|access-date=3 October 2017|work=The Guardian|date=24 August 1996|location=London}}
• {{cite book|last1=Monbiot|first1=George|title=Poisoned Arrows: An Investigative Journey to the Forbidden Territories of West Papua|date=2003|publisher=Green Books|location=Devon, England|isbn=9781903998274|edition=2nd|orig-year=1989|title-link=Poisoned Arrows: An investigative journey through the forbidden lands of West Papua}}
• {{cite book|last1=Osborne|first1=Robin|title=Indonesia's Secret War: The Guerilla Struggle in Irian Jaya|date=1985|publisher=Allen & Unwin|location=Sydney|isbn=9780868615196}}
• {{cite journal|last1=van der Kroef|first1=Justus M|title=West New Guinea: The Uncertain Future|journal=Asian Survey|date=August 1968|volume=8|issue=8|pages=691–707|doi=10.2307/2642586|jstor=2642586}}

• [http://infopapua.org/ INFOPAPUA]
• [https://fas.org/irp/world/para/papua.htm FAS.org: OPM listing]

{{Stateless nationalism in Asia}}

{{Ethnic nationalism}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Independence movements

Category:Papua (province)

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Category:Rebel groups in Indonesia

Category:Separatism in Indonesia

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Category:Organizations based in Papua (province)

Category:History of Western New Guinea

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