3) Call for EOIs: HOPE Papua Holistic Outreach for Protecting and Empowering Children (Indonesia)
5) Indonesia to inaugurate five new Army region commands on Oct. 5
Models of indigenous governance challenge Western and Indonesian subjugation
~ Julian McKinlay King ~
On the periphery of globalisation, media interest and academic attention, the people of West Papua inhabit the western side of the world’s largest tropical island.
As detailed by the early European explorers, Papuan communities have been independent sovereign nations for tens of thousands of years. Adapting to a myriad of habitats, they developed unique languages, cultures and physiologies.
Living with kin in decentralised villages surrounded by customary gardens and forests, Papuan women and men shared equal status, educated their offspring and practiced mutual aid, giving freely without the need of reciprocity. Respecting their ancestors and nature, they lived without government nor state.
Papuans practised agroforestry dating back to their arrival and are the oldest horticulturalists in the world. Bananas, taro, yams, sago and sugar cane were first domesticated in Papua before becoming international staple crops.
Research by Sutarno et al. documents how the Hatam tribe of West Papua utilise at least 55 animal species. No over-harvesting or over-hunting occurs and, like other
Melanesian peoples, they do not recognise individual land ownership.
From the Age of Discovery in the 1600s, Papuans rebelled against all attempts at subjugation. Under occupation by the Dutch, the people formed millenarian
movements seeking independence.
During World War Two under Japanese occupation, Papuans supported the Allies forming guerrilla liberation units which were instrumental in preventing Australia and New Zealand from falling to Imperial Japanese-styled fascism.
In 1957 the Dutch government, having colonised the western side, and the Australian government on the eastern side, began coordinating towards independence. In 1962 this was derailed when the territory was transferred first to the United Nations and then Indonesia, via a covert programme of malfeasance orchestrated by Washington. Since then the Indonesian military has been conducting systematic, slow-motion genocide according to reports by legal scholars, intelligence agencies and the UN. In the Star Mountains, for example, aerial bombing using helicopters and drones continues to the present day.
Since 1965, the Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM) or Free Papua Movement has been waging a low-level war of liberation. Initially establishing a Western-styled system of centralised governance upon the advice of their diaspora in the Netherlands, this led to bitter infighting, killings and an exodus that continued for more than two decades.
As detailed by former OPM representative Otto Ondawame, the group abandoned the colonial system of centralised government in 1992, establishing a decentralised system comprising 881 village councils, 116 district councils, 14 regional councils and a national council. Under the OPM’s New Order, village councils are autonomous,
reflecting the indigenous fabric of the Papuan tribes that have lived in harmony with nature for tens of thousands of years.
This decentralisation greatly facilitated the creation of new military commands across the Territory. Armed mostly with traditional bows and arrows, old firearms from the colonial period and a few modern weapons captured from the enemy, 36 regional commands now extend across the Territory.
While mostly confined to guerrilla warfare in the jungle, the OPM is increasingly taking on the Indonesian police and military in towns and cities with battles often lasting several days and even weeks whilst preparing for a territory-wide mass uprising.
Upon independence, the OPM plans to maintain this decentralised system, based upon their 1971 Declaration of Independence. It enshrines: Mass participation democracy; a people’s armed forces; equal distribution of national wealth; decentralised power rejecting the imperial, centrally-controlled economic and government political system; equal rights and freedom of expression; programmes to advance people’s natural talents with schools, facilities and cultural institutions; protection of resources and ecology and confiscating lands from imperialists; and world peace by supporting other oppressed and colonised peoples.
Without police, state or government, living in decentralised communities, embracing gender equality, mutual-aid, respecting ancestors and nature, the people live under a political paradigm of indigenous anarchism.
Image: Roel Wijnants on Flickr. This article was originally published in the May 2026 issue of Freedom anarchist journal.
I believe resolving the situation in Papua cannot be done by the TNI alone..Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Commander General Agus Subiyanto called for comprehensive collaboration among the military, government ministries, national agencies, and regional administrations to address ongoing conflict and security challenges in Papua.
“I believe resolving the situation in Papua cannot be done by the TNI alone; everyone must collaborate—local governments and ministries alike,” Agus told reporters in Jakarta on Sunday.
The military chief noted that inter-agency support and cross-sector cooperation are essential to strengthen operations on the ground, particularly given Papua’s vast territory and challenging mountainous terrain.
The commander’s remarks follow recent security incidents in the region, including the killing of a commercial shuttle driver in Highland Papua.
The victim, Aris Sanda—also known as Bapak Tasya—was a native of Toraja who was found dead near his burned-out vehicle in the Lake Habema area.
The TNI Habema Operations Command identified an armed group affiliated with the Free Papua Movement (OPM)—specifically the Ndugama Regional Defense Command (Kodap) III—as the perpetrators of the attack.
Head of Information for the TNI Habema Operations Command Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Wirya Arthadiguna said Sanda was transporting passengers in a pickup truck when the armed group intercepted the vehicle.
The group questioned the driver and passengers before ordering the passengers to return to Wamena. Sanda was detained and forcibly taken toward Lake Habema.
Following reports of the interception, joint personnel from the TNI Habema Operations Command conducted a search of the area on Wednesday (September 16), subsequently locating the victim’s body alongside the burned-out pickup truck.
Wirya confirmed that military personnel are actively pursuing the perpetrators and strengthening security measures across the region to protect local residents.
“The TNI Habema Operations Command will continue efforts to address the armed group involved, including pursuing the perpetrators and supporting law enforcement processes in accordance with applicable regulations, in order to prevent further casualties and ensure public safety,” he stated.
Related news: Indonesia pushes infrastructure, connectivity development in Papua
Related news: TNI orders air evacuation for OPM victim's widow in Papua
Related news: TNI hunts OPM suspects after Papua driver killed
Translator: Nadia Putri Rahmani, Yashinta Difa
Editor: M Razi Rahman
3) Call for EOIs: HOPE Papua Holistic Outreach for Protecting and Empowering Children (Indonesia)
Deadline: 10-Sep-2026
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is seeking partners to strengthen child protection systems and improve access to essential services for children across Tanah Papua, Indonesia. The programme focuses on child protection governance, birth registration, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), and positive social norms.
The initiative responds to persistent challenges affecting children in Tanah Papua, including violence against children, child marriage, limited access to legal identity, unequal availability of quality protection services, and growing mental health and psychosocial needs.
The programme aligns with the CPAP 2026–2030 Outcome 5, which focuses on strengthened child protection governance, quality services, and community-based child protection systems.
About the UNICEF Tanah Papua Programme
Tanah Papua comprises six provinces in Indonesia and continues to face significant child protection challenges. Geographic isolation, limited access to services, and low public awareness can make it difficult for children and families to obtain protection services and legal identity documentation.
The programme seeks to address these challenges through stronger government systems, improved frontline capacity, integrated service delivery, better mental health and psychosocial support, and community engagement.
The overall goal is to ensure that children in Tanah Papua are better protected and able to realize their rights.
Key Child Protection Challenges in Tanah Papua
Children and families in Tanah Papua face several interconnected challenges, including:
- Violence against children.
- High prevalence of child marriage.
- Limited access to birth registration and legal identity.
- Geographic isolation and limited access to essential services.
- Disparities in the availability and quality of child protection services.
- Low awareness among communities about child protection and legal identity.
- Limited capacity to address children’s mental health and psychosocial needs.
- Challenges faced by caregivers and service providers in identifying and responding to MHPSS needs.
Recent data indicate that South Papua has the highest child marriage prevalence in Indonesia, while birth registration coverage in Tanah Papua remains significantly lower than the national average.
Main Objectives of the Programme
The UNICEF programme aims to achieve four interconnected objectives:
- Strengthen child protection systems and government capacity.
- Expand access to birth registration and legal identity.
- Improve mental health and psychosocial support services.
- Promote positive social norms and community-based mechanisms to prevent child marriage and violence against children.
Together, these interventions are intended to create stronger systems that can protect children and help them access their fundamental rights and services.
Strengthening Government Child Protection Systems
A major component of the programme is strengthening government systems and workforce capacities for child protection.
Partners are expected to support capacity building for government officials and frontline workers involved in child protection services. This can help improve the quality, consistency, and accessibility of services available to children and families.
The programme will also promote the integration of child protection competencies into government training systems, helping strengthen institutional capacity over the longer term.
Expanding Access to Birth Registration
Birth registration is an important component of the programme because legal identity can help children access essential rights and services.
The programme aims to improve birth registration through integrated service delivery, particularly in communities where geographic isolation and limited access to government services create barriers.
Potential interventions will focus on strengthening systems and coordination so that children and families can access birth registration more effectively.
Improving birth registration coverage can also contribute to stronger child protection systems by ensuring that children have recognized legal identities.
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support
Mental health and psychosocial wellbeing are another important focus of the programme.
The initiative aims to enhance access to information and referral services related to mental health and psychosocial support for children and caregivers.
Activities will seek to strengthen awareness and capacity among:
- Children.
- Parents and caregivers.
- Frontline workers.
- Relevant service providers.
- Government stakeholders.
Improving information and referral systems can help children and caregivers better understand available support and connect with appropriate services.
Preventing Child Marriage and Violence Against Children
The programme places strong emphasis on preventing child marriage and violence against children through positive social norms and community-based mechanisms.
Community engagement will involve customary, faith-based, and community leaders. These stakeholders can play an important role in influencing attitudes, practices, and community responses concerning children’s rights and protection.
The programme will therefore support approaches that encourage communities to recognize and address harmful social norms contributing to child marriage and violence against children.
Community-Based Child Protection Mechanisms
Community-based mechanisms are an important part of strengthening child protection systems in areas where formal services may be difficult to access.
The programme will reinforce community participation and engagement while connecting community-level mechanisms with government and formal child protection systems.
Working with customary, faith-based, and community leaders can help make child protection interventions more locally relevant and sustainable.
Capacity Building and Multi-Sectoral Coordination
Capacity building is expected to be an important implementation strategy.
Partners may be involved in strengthening the knowledge and skills of government and frontline workers and supporting the integration of child protection competencies into government training.
The programme also emphasizes multi-sectoral coordination, recognizing that effective child protection requires cooperation among different government departments, service providers, and community stakeholders.
Better coordination can help reduce gaps between child protection, legal identity, mental health, and community-based services.
Expected Results
The programme is expected to contribute to several key results:
- Government systems and workforce capacities for child protection are strengthened.
- Children have improved access to birth registration through integrated service delivery.
- Children and caregivers have improved access to MHPSS information and referral services.
- Positive social norms supporting child protection are reinforced.
- Community-based mechanisms are strengthened to prevent child marriage and violence against children.
- Government and frontline workers have improved child protection competencies.
- Multi-sectoral coordination for child protection is strengthened.
- Community leaders and other influential stakeholders are more engaged in protecting children.
Who Can Apply or Partner?
Eligible organizations should demonstrate the capacity and experience needed to implement child protection interventions effectively in Tanah Papua.
According to the selection criteria, organizations should demonstrate:
- Clear activities and expected results.
- Cost-effective implementation approaches.
- Local experience and presence.
- Realistic and achievable timelines.
- Relevant sector expertise.
- Sustainability of proposed interventions.
Organizations should ensure that their proposed approach clearly responds to the child protection challenges identified in Tanah Papua.
What Strong Proposals Should Demonstrate
A strong proposal should establish a clear connection between identified child protection challenges, proposed activities, expected results, and longer-term sustainability.
Organizations should clearly explain how they will:
- Strengthen government and frontline capacity.
- Improve access to birth registration.
- Support MHPSS information and referral systems.
- Address child marriage and violence against children.
- Engage customary, faith-based, and community leaders.
- Strengthen community-based child protection mechanisms.
- Coordinate with relevant sectors and stakeholders.
- Deliver activities within realistic timelines.
- Use resources efficiently and cost-effectively.
- Sustain results beyond the intervention period.
Sustainability of the Programme
Sustainability is one of the stated selection considerations.
The programme emphasizes strengthening government systems, workforce capacities, training structures, and community-based mechanisms rather than relying only on short-term activities.
Integrating child protection competencies into government training and strengthening local community mechanisms can help ensure that improvements continue beyond individual project activities.
Alignment with CPAP 2026–2030
The programme aligns with CPAP 2026–2030 Outcome 5, which focuses on strengthened child protection governance, quality services, and community-based child protection systems.
This alignment places the proposed interventions within a broader effort to improve child protection governance and service delivery while strengthening community-level protection mechanisms.
Key Areas of Intervention
Organizations interested in participating should pay particular attention to the following areas:
- Child protection system strengthening.
- Government and frontline workforce capacity building.
- Birth registration and legal identity.
- Integrated service delivery.
- Mental health and psychosocial support.
- Information and referral services.
- Prevention of child marriage.
- Prevention of violence against children.
- Positive social norms.
- Community-based child protection mechanisms.
- Multi-sectoral coordination.
- Engagement with customary, faith-based, and community leaders.
- Sustainability and institutional strengthening.
Why This Programme Matters
Children without legal identity may face barriers to accessing essential rights and services. At the same time, violence, child marriage, limited protection services, and insufficient mental health support can create significant risks for children and their families.
These challenges can be particularly difficult to address in geographically isolated communities with limited service availability.
By combining system strengthening, legal identity, MHPSS, community engagement, and social norm approaches, the programme takes a comprehensive approach to child protection in Tanah Papua.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UNICEF Tanah Papua Child Protection Programme?
It is a programme seeking partners to strengthen child protection systems, expand birth registration, improve mental health and psychosocial support, and promote positive social norms for children across Tanah Papua, Indonesia.
What areas does the programme focus on?
The main areas are child protection system strengthening, birth registration, mental health and psychosocial support, prevention of child marriage and violence against children, positive social norms, and community-based child protection.
Why is birth registration important in Tanah Papua?
Birth registration provides children with legal identity and can support access to essential rights and services. The programme aims to improve registration coverage through integrated service delivery.
What is the focus of the MHPSS component?
The programme aims to improve MHPSS information and referral services for children and caregivers while strengthening awareness and capacity among relevant stakeholders.
How will the programme address child marriage?
It will reinforce positive social norms and community-based mechanisms and engage customary, faith-based, and community leaders to help prevent child marriage.
Who are the key community stakeholders?
The programme specifically highlights customary leaders, faith-based leaders, and community leaders as important partners in community engagement and social norm change.
What capacity-building activities are expected?
Activities will include capacity building for government and frontline workers, multi-sectoral coordination, and integration of child protection competencies into government training.
What criteria will be used to select organizations?
Selection will consider clarity of activities and expected results, cost effectiveness, local experience and presence, realistic timelines, sector expertise, and sustainability of interventions.
What is the overall goal of the programme?
The overall goal is to strengthen child protection systems and services so that children in Tanah Papua are better protected and able to realize their rights.
Conclusion
The UNICEF Tanah Papua Child Protection Programme represents a comprehensive effort to address interconnected child protection challenges across the region. By strengthening government systems, expanding birth registration, improving MHPSS support, and promoting positive social norms, the programme aims to create stronger and more accessible protection systems for children.
Organizations with relevant sector expertise, local experience, implementation capacity, and a sustainable approach can contribute by developing clear, cost-effective proposals that respond directly to the needs of children and communities in Tanah Papua.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.
The military is strengthening security and pursuing those responsible for the attack, TNI Information Office Head Major General Muhammad Nas said.
The operation reflects the military's commitment to protecting national sovereignty while ensuring the safety of communities in the region, Nas said.
The TNI would also prevent groups seeking separation from Indonesia from dividing communities in Papua, he said, adding that the TNI remains committed to defending the state, protecting national territory and ensuring public safety.
The TNI's Habema Operations Command identified the OPM's Kodap III Ndugama faction as responsible for the fatal attack on driver Aris Sanda.
Lieutenant Colonel Wirya Arthadiguna, a Habema Operations Command spokesman, said the incident occurred early Tuesday, Sept. 15, when an armed group stopped Sanda's pickup truck.
Sanda was transporting passengers from Wamena to Mbua when the group searched his vehicle and ordered the passengers to return to Wamena.
The attackers detained Sanda, a native of Toraja, South Sulawesi Province, and forced him to walk toward Lake Habema, Wirya said.
Military personnel launched a search on Wednesday, Sept. 16, after receiving reports that Sanda had been abducted, according to Wirya.
The team later found a burned vehicle and Sanda's body, Wirya said. His remains were then evacuated while the cause of death remains under investigation.
The military will continue pursuing the armed groups and support law enforcement in accordance with regulations to prevent further casualties and improve public security, Wirya said.
Related news: TNI orders air evacuation for OPM victim's widow in Papua
Related news: House Speaker urges UN to list OPM as terrorist organization
Translator: Walda Marison, Uyu Liman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
5) Indonesia to inaugurate five new Army region commands on Oct. 5
- September 19, 2026 16:30 GMT+700
The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) plans to inaugurate five new military region commands (kodam) during an event marking its 81st anniversary at the National Monument in Jakarta on Oct. 5.
Maj. Gen. Muhammad Nas, head of the TNI Information Center, confirmed the plan on Saturday. He declined to specify which kodams will be inaugurated, noting that further details will be announced later.
Nas made the statement during the opening of the TNI Fair at the National Monument square in Central Jakarta.
Reports indicate that the Indonesian Army (TNI AD) is developing new kodams in Yogyakarta, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), North Maluku, Highland Papua, and Southwest Papua, bringing the total number of military region commands nationwide to 26.
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Maruli Simanjuntak confirmed in Kupang, NTT, on Jan. 12 that the planned kodam in NTT is included in the third phase of the command expansion program. He said five kodams were established in each of the first two phases.
Meanwhile, NTT Governor Melki Laka Lena stated during a meeting with Kodam IX/Udayana Commander Maj. Gen. Piek Budyakto that construction of the new provincial kodam would begin in 2026.
"The presence of a kodam in NTT will certainly strengthen synergy between the provincial government and the TNI in maintaining security and stability while accelerating development across the province," he said.
Lena expressed confidence that the planned kodam will ensure balanced troop deployment and support public infrastructure development, citing plans for a new Army hospital.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening coordination with the military to accelerate regional development and improve public welfare.
Related news: Indonesian Army plans Central Papua Kodam to streamline command
Related news: Prabowo launches 6 new Army Commands, TNI builds HQs nationwide
Translator: W. Marison, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Arie Novarina
Jayapura, Jubi – The Boven Digoel Customary Community Institution (LMA) in South Papua has declared its support for the Awyu Indigenous community in Boven Digoel, which is opposing a National Strategic Project (PSN) planned on their customary land.
The support was outlined in a letter from LMA Boven Digoel, Number 094/RKM-D/LMA-BVD/IX/2026, dated September 19, 2026, providing a formal recommendation of support.
The letter followed a request submitted by the Awyu Indigenous community of the Greater Awyu customary territory to LMA Boven Digoel on September 18.
In a copy of the letter signed by LMA Boven Digoel chairman Maret Klaru and secretary Adrianus Moromon, the organisation said it had issued a recommendation supporting the Awyu Indigenous community’s opposition to the planned National Strategic Project.
“The planned PSN programme is the National Food, Energy and Water Self-Sufficiency Area (KSPEAN), which will be implemented by PT Agrinas Pangan Nusantara and PT Agrinas Palma Nusantara (Persero) in the customary territory of the Awyu Indigenous community in Boven Digoel,” the letter said.
LMA Boven Digoel said its decision to support the opposition followed a review of the purpose and contents of the Awyu community’s request.
The opposition is aimed at protecting the customary land rights of the Awyu Indigenous community in Boven Digoel, as well as preserving customary values and traditions passed down through generations and ensuring the continued survival of the community.
Earlier, the Awyu Indigenous community in Boven Digoel had declared its opposition to the PSN planned in its customary territory. The community sought support from LMA Boven Digoel and requested a formal recommendation.
According to a letter from the Greater Awyu customary community to LMA Boven Digoel, the project is planned for Anggai village in Jair District and six other districts in the area.
“Based on history, origins, kinship ties, customary control and traditional use, [the area] forms part of the customary land rights of the Awyu people,” the Greater Awyu community said in a letter received by Jubi on Friday night, September 18.
The Awyu community said the issue was not simply about investment or development, but also concerned customary land, traditional forests, sources of livelihood, identity, history, culture and the rights of future generations of the Greater Awyu Indigenous community.
The Greater Awyu Indigenous community therefore expressed its objection to and rejection of the proposed PSN for as long as it involves Awyu customary land and there is no valid consent from customary rights holders through a proper, transparent customary deliberation process free from pressure.
The Awyu community said its opposition was a way of expressing the aspirations of Indigenous people and protecting their land, forests, environment, livelihoods, identity, culture and the rights of future generations.
The community said it continued to respect the government and national development, but development should not eliminate or diminish Indigenous people’s rights to the land and territory that sustain their lives. (*)
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