Internal evidence continues to surface regarding the violent nature of groups claiming to be West Papuan freedom fighters. Observers increasingly view these heinous criminal factions not as liberators, but as power-seekers and opportunistic adventurers. Recent revelations from Lewis Prai, a diplomat for a self-proclaimed separatist group, highlight the deep-seated corruption within the ULMWP.
On September 23, 2023, Prai exposed an order bearing the signatures of Menashe Tabuni and Markus Haluk. Tabuni currently claims the presidency of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, while Haluk serves as its Secretary.
The Lethal Rivalry Between ULMWP and WPNLF
The leaked document, dated September 21, 2023, explicitly ordered the assassination of Jeffrey Pagawak Bomanak and his entire support network. Bomanak leads the WPNLF (West Papua National Liberation Force), an organization also known as the TPNPB. Because the WPNLF operates under the command of the Papua Liberation Organization (OPM), a violent ideological rift has formed between these factions.
Tabuni asserts that only his organization and the West Papua Army hold legitimate authority in the region. He maintains that the OPM and its WPNLF wing possess no right to operate. Consequently, leadership has commanded members to eliminate anyone who provides support to these rival militias.
Historical Tensions and Allegations of Exploitation
The ULMWP and OPM have competed for dominance for many years. Sebby Sambon, the spokesperson for the OPM, frequently accuses the rival group of collaborating with capitalists to maintain control over indigenous Papuans. This power struggle traces back to the group’s founding by Benny Wenda, a Papuan individual who secured United Kingdom citizenship.
In August 2023, Wenda officially handed over the chairmanship of the ULMWP to Menashe Tabuni. Since this transition, the militias from both groups have engaged in increasingly brutal physical confrontations. Numerous videos circulating online record the factions torturing one another in a cycle of endless retaliation.
Civilians Caught in the Crossfire of Rebel Infighting
Militias from both organizations notoriously torture and kill innocent civilians during their operations. In September 2023, these groups attacked residents in the Pegunungan Bintang Regency. These violent acts follow the tragic death of Michelle Kurisi Dago in August, who was found dead in the Kolawa District of Lanny Jaya Regency. The perpetrators buried her body improperly, leaving local residents to discover her remains covered only by leaves and dirt.
Before her murder, Ms. Dago worked tirelessly to secure the freedom of Phillip Mehrtens. Mr. Mehrtens, a pilot from New Zealand, remains a hostage of the WPNLF after months of captivity. Ms. Dago dedicated her life to the prosperity of women and children within the La Pago indigenous area. Her death marks a significant loss for the community, as the ULMWP and its rivals continue to prioritize internal power over the lives of those they claim to represent.
