Thursday, February 27, 2020

1) Parkop to establish Free West Papua secretariat in Port Moresby

2) Three wounded in exchange of fire in Nduga, Papua

3) Minister encourages Papua to reduce investment in palm plantations

4) Minister launches green investment for Papua, West Papua

5) Government introduces Papua's business potential to 45 investors

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https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/410525/parkop-to-establish-free-west-papua-secretariat-in-port-moresby

1) Parkop to establish Free West Papua secretariat in Port Moresby

4:08 pm on 27 February 2020

The governor of Papua New Guinea's National Capital District, Powes Parkop. Photo: RNZ / Koroi Hawkins

The governor of Papua New Guinea's capital says a Free West Papua Campaign secretariat will be established in his city.

Powes Parkop made the announcement in Port Moresby in his latest move to raise awareness about human rights issues in PNG's neighbouring Indonesian-ruled territory of West Papua.

Mr Parkop accuses regional governments, including Australia, of turning a blind eye to gross human rights abuses in West Papua.

EMTV reports he is using PNG's capital as a hub to lobby support for West Papuan independence aspirations, and is petitioning the UN to address the situation in Papua.

Meanwhile, the Catholic church in Papua New Guinea has reported a new influx of West Papuan asylum seekers into Western Province.

The Catholic Diocese in Kiunga is looking after 133 people who have crossed the border, claiming to have fled from the Indonesian military in West Papua, according to The National.

Kiunga Diocese's Father Gilles Cote said the asylum seekers were being housed in a temporary camp on church land.

He said the Kiunga public was helping care for them with food, water, clothing and other humanitarian needs.

The group reportedly arrived last month having walked for around 400km over mountainous terrain from Nduga regency in Indonesian-administrated Papua province.

Nduga is the focus of ongoing armed conflict between Indonesia's military and the West Papua Liberation Army, which massacred at least 16 Indonesian road construction workers in the regency in late 2018.

PNG's Department of Provincial and Local Level Government, along with officials from Immigrations and Foreign Affairs, are processing the West Papuans to determine their refugee status.

Those who do not meet the political refugee status will be advised to return to their home.

While those who are identified as political refugees will be transported to Western province's East Awin Camp, a gazetted area for West Papuan refugees.

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https://en.antaranews.com/news/142382/three-wounded-in-exchange-of-fire-in-nduga-papua

2) Three wounded in exchange of fire in Nduga, Papua

6 hours ago

Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA) - Three people were injured, including a member of the Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob), in an exchange of fire between security forces and an armed group in Nduga, Papua Police Chief Insp. Gen Paulus Waterpauw confirmed here on Thursday.

Two civilians who were injured in the shooting on Wednesday (Feb 26) have been treated at Kenyam Hospital, while the wounded policeman was evacuated to Jakarta from Timika, Waterpauw said.

According to the police, the armed group had attacked a military post in Koteka village.

Waterpauw noted that the shooting has confirmed the authority's decision not to withdraw security personnel from the district.

The Indonesian Military and Police stationed its personnel in Nduga district following the assault against construction workers of state-owned construction firm PT Istaka Karya in December 2018 that killed 17 workers, while the fate of four other workers is still unclear.

The security personnel are guarding the construction of a bridge in the region, he said.

The workers are building a road that will provide access to the hilly area in Kali-Yigi-kali Urak in Nduga.

Responding to the demand to withdraw the security personnel, Waterpauw said, the armed group is still creating trouble in the region and attacking security personnel.

"Do not politicize the existence of the Indonesian military and police in Nduga, because the security personnel are also among the victims of the attack," he stressed.

(INE)

Related news: Former Papuan separatist hands over rifle to military

Related news: Indonesian soldiers bridge teacher shortage gap in Papua

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https://en.antaranews.com/news/142338/minister-encourages-papua-to-reduce-investment-in-palm-plantations

3) Minister encourages Papua to reduce investment in palm plantations

9 hours ago

Sorong, Papua (ANTARA) - Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Binsar Panjaitan encouraged the local governments and community of Papua and West Papua to lower investment in palm plantations.

"Investment in palm plantations usually only belongs to foreign investors and not necessarily profitable for the local people," Minister Panjaitan stated here on Thursday.

He expounded that the government had currently enacted a moratorium on palm plantations to halt logging in the forests of Papua and West Papua.

Moreover, Panjaitan encouraged the Papuan local government to not only direct its attention on big investments, particularly if it is damaging the forest, but also concentrate on small investments that are beneficial for the community and are environment-friendly.

He also highlighted the fact that Papua and West Papua had varied agricultural commodities, including nutmeg, cocoa, coffee, and seaweed, that could be developed by the community to boost local economic growth.

To this end, he called for governments of the two provinces to make all-out efforts and to collaborate with stakeholders from all sectors to develop the local economic potentials.

Panjaitan stressed on the need for the local governments of Papua and West Papua to improve the quality of education by prioritizing specialized education in the agricultural and fisheries sectors to realize the sustainable development of natural resources.

"I encourage the local government and people of Papua to rise and work hard to develop their potential and prioritize the sustainability of nature for the subsequent generations in future," he added.
Related news: Indonesia monitoring Chinese ship's arrival in West Papua

Related news: Indonesian soldiers bridge teacher shortage gap in Papua

EDITED BY INE

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

1) Indonesian soldiers bridge teacher shortage gap in Papua

2) Gov't to Renew Presidential Instruction on Papua

3) West Papuans should watch out for natural disasters

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indonesian-soldiers-bridge-teacher-shortage-gap-in-papua

1) Indonesian soldiers bridge teacher shortage gap in Papua

11 hours ago

Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA) - Several members of the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea (PNG) Border Security Task Force extended voluntary assistance to teachers at 12 elementary schools in Sota, Neukenjerai, Eligobel, and Ulilin sub-districts, Merauke District, Papua Province, since July 2019.

They teach reading, writing, and mathematics to students, Commander of the task force at the Army Strategic Reserves Command's (Kostrad's) MR 411/PDW Infantry Battalion Major Rizky Aditya noted in a press statement made available to ANTARA here on Wednesday.

As a live example, the army personnel have been teaching the students of the Sota Christian Elementary School, one of the schools at the Indonesia-PNG border area, Aditya remarked, adding that his men were keen to fill the gap of teacher shortage there.

Major Sergeant Catur Budi Satriyo, a member of the Kout Sota Command Post, is one of the soldiers, who regularly teaches reading, writing, and mathematics at this Christian Educational Foundation (YPK)-owned school.

Edowardus Burman Tenjap, a fourth-grade student at this YPK's elementary school, expressed happiness and pride on being taught reading, writing, and mathematics by the soldiers. "Thank you for teaching us," he stated.

Julianus Noya, speaking on behalf of all teachers, also thanked the Indonesian army personnel for their assistance to their pupils over the past six months.

"This voluntary teaching program is immensely valuable to our students," Noya remarked.

The Indonesian army personnel do not merely fill the gap of teacher shortage but they also provide transportation services to the students.

The Raiders Battalion 300/Brajawijaya Command, for instance, sends its trucks to drive local students to their schools though owing to the limited number of these vehicles, the students are not able to avail transport services daily.

"We help the students get to schools in time. The schools are located at quite a distance if they are to be reached on foot," Commander of the Raiders Battalion 300/Brajawijaya Command Lt Col Ary Sutrisno remarked.

If the trucks are not available, the local students are required walk to their schools for some 15 kilometers, he pointed out.

Bastian, one of the students regularly taking the TNI truck, admitted to the transport service regularly provided by the TNI being immensely helpful, as it enabled him and his peers to reach schools on time.

EDITED BY INE

Related news: Papua's human development index rose 1.30 percent in 2019: BPS

Related news: Respect native Papuans' cultural norms, traditions: military officer

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

1) Papua bishop calls for prayers for peace during Lent

2) Maluku: Obscure and notorious

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https://www.ucanews.com/news/papua-bishop-calls-for-prayers-for-peace-during-lent/87302

1) Papua bishop calls for prayers for peace during Lent

Call comes after a clash between rebels and Indonesian military that killed a child

Bishop Leo Laba Ladjar of Jayapura has issued a call for peace during Lent following the death of a child during a clash between the Indonesian military and Papuan rebels. (Photo: Benny Mawel)

Ryan Dagur, Jakarta Indonesia February 25, 2020

A Catholic bishop in Indonesia’s restive Papua region has called on his flock to pray for peace during Lent following the death last week of a child during a clash between the military and separatist rebels.

"We stipulate that every Friday we pray for peace in the Land of Papua. Prayers can be held during the Eucharist, as well as when we meditate the passion of the Lord during Way of the Cross worship,” Bishop Leo Laba Ladjar of Jayapura said in a pastoral letter.

The letter was read out in the diocese during Masses on Feb. 22 and 23.

Violence in Papua has become the main concern of him and other local religious leaders, he added.

"In our society, a peaceful atmosphere has become more elusive. Criminal acts are increasing, political aspirations and interests are increasingly accompanied by violence, more social ills, a lack of mutual trust where people are easily suspicious and prejudiced against one another,” he wrote.

"All this convinces us more that true peace is indeed not the result of human effort. True peace is a gift of God, and it will not be realized if we only rely on human strength.”

He said that "by praying for peace we declare to God how much we long for peace and ask him to help us realize that peace."

The Franciscan bishop also called on people to continue praying after Easter and fast for peace every first Friday and Saturday each month until November, pointing out that in the Catholic tradition the first Friday is a special devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the first Saturday is devotion to the holiest Heart of Our Lady.

“We ask that the peace of God be poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit and from that heart peace then radiates out in our words, deeds and way of life,” he said.

An insurgency has been waged in the region since Indonesia took control of Papua in the 1960s following a disputed referendum.

Local activists have long complained of rights abuses committed by the Indonesian military against local people.

John Gobay, secretary of the Papua Customary Council, told UCA News on Feb. 25 that tension in the region was still high going into Lent following the death of 11-year-old Melki Tipagau on Feb. 18 in Intan Jaya during the clash between rebels and the military.

He claimed more than 1,200 residents in 16 villages were still too scared to venture from their homes as a result. "They cannot grow or look for food or shop because of the presence of army and rebel groups in their locality," he said.

A report on the human rights situation in the region titled "Papua: The Neglected Paradise" was submitted to Pope Francis by the Franciscans' Commission for Justice and Peace in Rome on Feb. 17.

Bernard Koten, one of the authors, said the report was carried out by a joint team from all Papuan dioceses who recorded the human rights situation in recent years.

The report noted that rights violations had touched many aspects of life and caused hundreds or even thousands of deaths. The process of solving the problem had merely been a discourse which then just disappeared, it said.

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https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/maluku-obscure-notorious

2) Maluku: Obscure and notorious

ROBIN PERRY

The Interpreter Published 26 Feb 2020 06:00

A remote corner of Indonesia has a distinctive place in history going back centuries.

We were 45 metres up, precariously perched on a platform in the rainforest canopy, looking north towards West Papua as the early morning mist cleared to reveal the shimmering coastline. “They arrested him near the waterfall, just on the other side of the valley over there,” said Pak Johan. He was referring to the arrest of Chris Soumokil by the Indonesian Police in 1963. Soumokil was then the leader of RMS, or Republik Maluku Selatan (Republic of South Molucca), the would-be breakaway state which in 1950 declared its independence from the recently established Republic of Indonesia.

“My father was actually involved in his arrest, I’m sorry to say,” Pak Johan said. RMS was crushed with Soumokil’s arrest and execution, and it moved to the Netherlands as a government-in-exile in the late 1960s.

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Maluku was the great prize over which the major European powers fought from the 16th to the 19th centuries, in another, much earlier era of globalisation. The object of this titanic struggle, ultimately won by the Dutch, was the humble nutmeg and cloves which gave these islands their moniker, the Spice Islands.

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Seram, the island where this took place, is the second-biggest island in the Maluku region. It is known locally as “Nusa Ina”, the “mother island”, the ancestral homeland for the people of central and southern Maluku. I had just completed a seven-day cross-island trek with two friends and some local guides. This is a wild, rugged, and ecologically fascinating part of the world, sitting in the middle of the broad and blurry Wallace Line, with West Papua being the next landfall to the north and east. The cassowary which bounded across the road on our last day was a reminder of that. Our visit gave us a brief glimpse of a remote, rarely visited and sometimes otherworldly corner of Indonesia, but Maluku has not always been on the periphery.

Maluku, which has now been split into two provinces (north and south), consists of thousands of mostly tiny, lightly populated islands spread over a vast area inhabited by a diverse range of people (Minority Rights Group estimates that Maluku is home to up to 131 indigenous languages). Despite this ethnic diversity, as of 2019 it had a population of only 1.7 million people, making these provinces some of the least populated and developed in Indonesia.

My brief exchange with Pak Johan pointed to one of the formative phases in the violent, often globally significant, history of Indonesia’s remote and now-neglected “Wild East”. Maluku, anglicised as the “Moluccas”, was the great prize over which the major European powers fought from the 16th to the 19th centuries, in another, much earlier era of globalisation. The object of this titanic struggle, ultimately won by the Dutch, was the humble nutmeg and cloves which gave these islands their moniker, the Spice Islands. It still has a slightly Dutch flavour, which has lingered longer here than in other parts of the archipelago. The people of Maluku, and especially its most populous island of Ambon, were favoured by the Dutch for their martial prowess, and they had long formed a disproportionately large number of the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army (the KNIL). Many Moluccans migrated to the Netherlands in the 1960s, where they have formed a large, conspicuous, and politically active diaspora estimated to be around 50,000 people.

In the Second World War, the allies also considered Ambon to be a strategically significant location, and Australian and other Commonwealth troops worked closely with the KNIL to defend it against Japanese invasion. After its capture by the Japanese in 1942, it became the site of one of the most brutal Japanese POW camps of the war, a fact recognised in the Tokyo War Crimes trials. Today this is commemorated by a poignant, well-kept cemetery, known locally as the Australian Cemetery.

Conflict returned to Maluku when sectarian tensions between Ambon’s Muslim and Christian communities erupted into open warfare in February 1999. To borrow from Christopher Koch’s book about the turmoil of 1965, this was Indonesia’s second “year of living dangerously”, and Ambon was one of the most violent of the many flashpoints which had flared up across the archipelago following Suharto’s downfall. Peace finally broke out with the 2002 Malino Agreement, after four years of conflict and the displacement of at least 700,000 people and more than 5000 deaths. Ambon has been rebuilt and risen from the ashes, although there are still visible remnants of damage, not to mention the less visible scars of those who bore witness to the carnage. The peace has held, however, and Maluku has once again slipped back into international obscurity.

Maluku is a region which warrants much more attention. A search across a range of academic journals indicates that not much has been written about Maluku in the last decade, and what has been written overwhelmingly relates to the post-Suharto conflict or its colonial history. This is particularly so in an era of growing concern about increasing Chinese influence. This has led Australia, the US, Britain, and Indonesia (among others) to recalibrate their respective foreign policy lenses to the “Indo-Pacific”. And Indonesia is, in the words of its government, at the “fulcrum” of the Indo-Pacific.

In some ways, Maluku is at the heart of that pivot point. Darwin is not far south of Ambon, around five days under sail if we want to use the annual Spice Islands Darwin Ambon Yacht Race as a yardstick of proximity. Directly to the north and east of Maluku, and just a few hours speedboat ride from Seram is West Papua, which has seen a dramatic increase in violence in recent years. Its north-eastern border opens out to the Pacific, with the Republic of Palau just a few hundred kilometres away. Meanwhile, the Philippines’ restive Sulu archipelago lies to the north-west.

As we were reminded during President Joko Widodo’s recent visit, Australia and Indonesia can and should be great friends. We can start to give more meaningful content to this rhetoric by engaging more deeply with our near neighbour. In 2020, Chris Soumokil’s vision of an independent republic may well be a faded, fanciful dream, but it is a good reminder of the turbulent history of this fascinating yet little-understood region lying just beyond our northern horizon.

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1) Six defendants of anti-racism protest in Jayapura sentenced to six months jail

2) Two civilians reportedly killed in Sugapa

3) Military spokesperson says victims of military operation in Sugapa are members of insurgent group

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https://eng.jubi.co.id/six-defendants-of-anti-racism-protest-in-jayapura-sentenced-to-six-months-jail/

1) Six defendants of anti-racism protest in Jayapura sentenced to six months jail

Published 21 hours ago on 25 February 2020

Jayapura, Jubi – The Jayapura District Court found guilty six defendants involved in a mass riot following the anti-racism protests in Papua on 29 August 2019. The panel of judges gave them six months sentence, reduced by the defendants’ detention period. Therefore, the defendants would able to release soon after being sentence since the end of August 2019. However, their legal counsel team says to challenge the verdict because they believe that their clients are not guilty.

The six defendants Yan Peter Suramaja, Dolfin, Vinsen Dogopia, Jorgen Aipui, Valerio Yaas, Peter Meraudje, are found guilty in the trial chaired by Judge Alexander Jacob Tetelepta, with the panel members Roberto Naibaho and Korneles Waroi.

The public prosecutor charged them with different articles. Yan Peter Suramaja charged with Emergency Article, while Dolfin accused Article 160 of the criminal code on the incitement against the government. Meanwhile, Vinsen Dogopie charged with Article 170 of the criminal code about conducting violence against people and properties. The other three defendants Jorgen Aipui, Valerio Yaas, and Peter Merauje indicted with Article 365 of the criminal code about theft with violence.

In responding to the court’s verdict, lawyer Frederika Korain confirms that her clients would release soon if they accept the verdict because they have been in the detention since the end of August 2029. “Following the court’s verdict, their days in the detention will end soon. But we will consider this and discuss with their family to challenge not guilty,” Korain says on Thursday.

In the meantime, lawyer Relika Tambunan who is also a member of defendants’ legal counsel declares the court finding does not meet the expectation of the Advocate Team for Indigenous Papuans, as the trial was not able to approve the public prosecutor’s indictment.

“There is no strong evidence to accuse them. Indeed, the trial cannot prove that our clients are guilty or commit crime as charged to them. We have time to reconsider before challenge for not guilty,” said Tambunan. (*)

Reporter: Hengky Yeimo

Editor: Aryo Wisanggeni G

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https://eng.jubi.co.id/two-civilians-reportedly-killed-in-sugapa/

2) Two civilians reportedly killed in Sugapa

Published 21 hours ago on 25 February 2020 By Admin

Jayapura, Jubi – Two civilians reportedly killed in a joint military operation at Yoparu Village of Sugapa Sub-district, Intan Jayapura Regency on Tuesday (18/2/2020). The report also informs two Papuan women have been injured during the gun conflict and currently are under medical treatment. However, no release so far made by the security forces related to the report.

Jubi resource confirms two victims in this military ambush are Kayus Sani and Meky who shot in their houses on Tuesday dawn. The joint police and military forces arrived at Yoparu Village on Tuesday at around 3 a.m. Papua time, he says.

“Kayus was shot dead in his house. They (the joint security forces) entered the house and shot him on the chest and fingers. They also did the same thing to Meky, entering his house and shooting him dead in his house,” he says.

A report further informs that residents took the bodies of Kayus and Meky to a local church on Tuesday, but no information about their funeral yet.

Meanwhile, two indigenous women were also reportedly injured in the same operation. Elepina Sani, Meky’s mother, was shot in her hand, and currently got treatment in Yoparu Village, while a bullet hit Malopina in her leg. She is referred to Timika on Tuesday for further treatment.

Until the article published, no confirmation from both military or police about the incident so far received by Jubi. Jubi has attempted to contact Papua Police Chief Paulus Waterpauw on Whatsapp at 20.26 Papua time for clarification, but no reply so far. (*)

Reporter: Hengky Yeimo

Editor: Pipit Maizier

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https://eng.jubi.co.id/military-spokesperson-says-victims-of-military-operation-in-sugapa-are-members-of-insurgent-group/

3) Military spokesperson says victims of military operation in Sugapa are members of insurgent group

Published 22 hours ago on 25 February 2020

Jayapura, Jubi – Colonel Eko Daryanto, the military public relations chief of Cenderawasih Military Command, says a victim killed on Tuesday (18/2/2020) in the armed conflict in Yaparo Village of Sugapa Sub-district, Intan Jaya Regency was an insurgent group member. He also claims that a boy killed in the same shooting location shot by the armed group.

Colonel Daryanto’s clarification is opposite to a witness’ statement cited by Jubi on Tuesday. Jubi resource told that both victims Kayus Sani and Meky Tipagau are civilians. He also informed two women had wounded during the attack.

As cited by Antara News Agency, Eko Daryanto states that the joint enforcement troop had involved in a gun conflict with an insurgent group in Sugapa on Tuesday at 7.20 Papua time when they saw two insurgent members carrying two guns. “They involved in a gun conflict while chasing those insurgents, but this armed group made to escape to the cliffs and bushes ahead to Ugimba,” says the colonel in Jayapura on Wednesday (19/2/2020).

Moreover, according to him, the troop later found Meky Tipogau’s body when checking the location after the conflict. He declares the victim Tipogau was shot by the military while carrying a weapon, but his friend was able to run away with his gun. Also, during the operation, the joint military troop seized a laptop, a cellular phone and two assembled guns, a facsimile machine, a bow and arrows.

Eko further states that during the armed conflict on Tuesday, the insurgent group shot the joint military forces randomly. “Their fire hit 14 years old girls named Kina Sani who shot in her left sole,” says Eko.

Earlier, on Tuesday, Jubi published an article saying two civilians reportedly killed in Sugapa. According to Jubi source, the victims Kayus Sani and Meky Tipogau shot by the security forces in their houses. He stated that the shooting incident happened in the Tuesday early morning in Yoparu Village, Sugapa Subdistrict.

Jubi also reported that two women had injured during the armed conflict in the same location. Elepina Sani, Meky Tipogau’s mother, was shot in her hand, and now treated by locals in Yoparu Village. Meanwhile, Malopina Sani who shot in her leg referred to Timika for further medical treatment on Tuesday. (*)

Reporter: Aryo Wisanggeni G

Editor: Pipit Maizier

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Monday, February 24, 2020

1) Shame on you Australia for your ignorance: Parkop

2) Leading West Papuan activist dies

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https://www.google.com/amp/s/postcourier.com.pg/shame-on-you-australia-for-your-ignorance-parkop/amp/

1) Shame on you Australia for your ignorance: Parkop

February 24, 2020 BY FRANK RAI

National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop has lashed out at the Australian government for being tight-lipped and ignorant on the West Papua issue in Indonesia.
In a rally in Port Moresby last Friday, the governor openly blasted Australia for being deliberately silent on the West Papua issue when innocent civilians were being terrorised by a neighbouring government (Indonesia) in the region.
“Shame on you Australia, shame on you for being silent when men, women and children are being (allegedly) slaughtered right under your nose in West Papua. Australia, being a developed country and tagged as the leader in the Pacific and Oceania region – what can you do for our Melanesian brothers and sisters who are being literally tortured, killed and suppressed right next door in West Papua,” Governor Parkop told the rally.

During the launching of the Free West Papua Campaign 2020 at the Jack Pidik Park, the governor vehemently uttered that the Australian government should be ashamed for doing nothing for the region.
In the presence of a packed crowd, police and both local and international media, the governor bluntly told the Australian government of why it was so afraid of Indonesia and tight-lipped on human rights issues that were getting out of hand in the region.
“The human rights issue in West Papua concerns the government of Indonesia. The government is literally torturing, terrorising and suppressing innocent civilians who want to express their rights to freedom of choice.
“Simple practical example is that those in West Papua are banned from flying the ‘Morning Star Flag,’ host rallies or conduct public gatherings. A woman was caught by the police with 1500 small flags and automatically arrested and charged with treason two weeks ago,” Governor Parkop said.

He said human rights abuse was happening right next door to Australia and Papua New Guinea, however both governments were ‘afraid’ even to raise concern at the United Nations or other appropriate international conventions.
Mr Parkop further urged the Australian government to vouch for the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Commission to visit West Papua and carry out preliminary investigations on the human rights abuse that was being reported daily.
He also challenged the Papua New Guinea government to take a bold stand on the West Papua issue, citing ancestral, traditional and customary connections between PNG and West Papua.

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https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/410236/leading-west-papuan-activist-dies

2) Leading West Papuan activist dies

3:30 pm today

Leading West Papuan activist dies

Having fled Indonesian-rule in his homeland, Mr Ayamiseba became a central figure in advancing the West Papuan independence cause in regional fora.

Based in Vanuatu's capital Port Vila, he was instrumental in establishing the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation which became an effective regional lobbying group.

It was the forerunner of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua which Mr Ayamiseba and others established to elevate their independence cause internationally.

The ULMWP brought together all the main pro-independence Papuan groups under one umbrella and in 2015 succeeded in gaining observer status at the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

With Mr Ayamiseba's help, the ULMWP established an office in Port Vila and worked with Vanuatu's government to express opposition to Indonesia's control of the Papua region.

Mr Ayamiseba was also a musician of significant renown, having toured Vanuatu in the 1980s as a founding member of the Black Brothers, the Papuan band whose members sought refuge there.

The Black Brothers went on to became a successful touring act throughout the Pacific Islands region.

The ULMWP's chairman, Benny Wenda, has paid tribute to Mr Ayamiseba, saying his death was a great loss for West Papuans.

"Andy stood for the dream of a West Papua free from Indonesian colonialism, a dream all West Papuan people share.

"The people of West Papua will always remember the courage, spirit and leadership of Andy Ayamiseba and his historic contribution to our struggle for freedom," Mr Wenda said.

The ULMWP head said the organisation would honour and respect Mr Ayamiseba's legacy in the Pacific region by continuing the Papuan struggle "to its victory”.

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AWPA Sydney