TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The Papua Peace Network has urged President-elect Prabowo Subianto to appoint a special envoy tasked with establishing direct communication with conflicting parties in Papua, including the Free Papua Organization (OPM).
According to Papua Peace Network spokesperson Yan Christian Warinussy, the central government has so far avoided engaging in dialogue with groups advocating for Papuan independence. He argues that military approaches and infrastructure development alone do not address the root causes of the conflict.
“President Prabowo should appoint a specific individual who can act as a direct liaison between him and the groups involved in the Papua conflict,” said Yan in a phone interview with Tempo on Saturday, May 27, 2025.
Yan emphasized that resolving the conflict in Papua cannot rely solely on physical development. He recalled his meeting with President Joko Widodo in 2016, during which he conveyed that without inclusive dialogue, peace efforts would remain elusive.
Furthermore, Yan urged that all elements in Papua—including pro-independence figures and local activists—be included in the dialogue process as a crucial step toward achieving a fair and dignified peace.
