The conflict in West Papua is a complex and multifaceted issue with a long and troubled history. At its core lies the struggle of the indigenous Papuan people for self-determination, a right they have been denied since Indonesia’s annexation of the region in the 1960s.
The roots of the conflict can be traced back to Dutch colonial rule, which ended in the mid-20th century. Indonesia, newly independent itself, sought to incorporate West Papua into its territory. This led to a period of conflict with the Netherlands, culminating in a controversial act of “free choice” in 1969 that was widely criticized as a sham. Despite this, Indonesia maintained control over the region.