A shadow of violence continues to loom over Papua as armed separatist groups escalate their campaign of terror and intimidation against local government officials and civilians who support the Republic of Indonesia. The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM), a group long associated with the armed separatist struggle in Papua, has openly threatened to attack local leaders, civil servants, and indigenous Papuans loyal to the Indonesian state.
These threats are not mere words—they follow a surge of real violence, including arson, shootings, and intimidation tactics that aim to destabilize Papua’s fragile peace. As the security apparatus tries to protect the people and enforce law and order, a different war is being fought—not just over territory, but over legitimacy and the future of Papuan society.
An Open Threat Against the Local Government
In July 2025, TPNPB-OPM issued a chilling statement threatening to assassinate Papuan government officials who cooperate with Indonesian security forces. This message, delivered through their spokesperson Sebby Sambom, specifically warned that district heads (bupati), regents, village leaders, and any native Papuans seen supporting the government or the TNI-Polri could become targets.
“We will not hesitate to carry out military operations against them. These officials have chosen to stand with the enemy,” Sambom declared in a statement shared with the media.
This explicit targeting of indigenous leaders who advocate for peace and development under the Republic’s framework is a new and dangerous turn in the group’s operational strategy—one that aims to deepen internal divisions and spread fear among Papuan communities.
Puncak Regent Survives Violent Attack
On 7 July 2025, TPNPB-OPM set fire to two houses owned by the Regent of Puncak, Elvis Tabuni, in the Ilaga district, as well as a local government office in Omukia. Sambom justified the attacks by alleging that the properties were being used as military posts by Indonesian security forces and threatened Regent Tabuni to stop cooperating with the Indonesian government and security forces.
Before that, TPNPB-OPM also fired on an aircraft carrying Regent Tabuni and his entourage from Timika to Ilaga during its landing approach at Aminggaru Airport on 24 May 2025. This act of aggression follows an increasing pattern of hostility by TPNPB toward leaders they consider unsupportive of the Papuan separatist movement, like Regent Tabuni.
The attack has sent shockwaves through local administrations, especially those working in conflict-prone regencies like Intan Jaya, Nduga, and Yahukimo, where separatist influence remains strong. In response, local governments have requested heightened protection from the Indonesian military and police.
“The attack on Regent Tabuni is not just an act of violence—it is an assault on governance and democracy in Papua,” said Major General Rudi Puruwito, commander of the Cenderawasih Military Command.
A Campaign of Terror Against Civilians
Beyond targeting officials, the OPM continues to sow fear among ordinary Papuans. In several districts, reports have emerged of civilians being interrogated, harassed, or even executed for allegedly collaborating with government agencies or the TNI-Polri. Villagers are caught in a cruel dilemma—support the state and risk retaliation, or remain silent and watch their communities stagnate in fear and underdevelopment.
One chilling example is the burning of school buildings and clinics in remote highland areas, where teachers and health workers are seen as “agents of Indonesia.” As a result, education and health services have ground to a halt, depriving thousands of children and families of their basic rights.
“The armed group wants to isolate Papua from development,” said Theo Yikwa, a youth activist from Wamena. “They attack schools, block aid, and threaten anyone who tries to help. That is not liberation—it is terrorism.”
Undermining Peace and Development
The TPNPB-OPM’s actions have disrupted not only physical infrastructure but also the momentum for peace. For years, local and national governments have worked to build roads, schools, and public services in the most remote corners of Papua. These efforts are critical to closing the development gap and addressing the historic inequalities that fueled the separatist sentiment in the first place.
However, the increasing violence against development actors and community leaders threatens to undo years of progress. Young professionals and civil servants from Papua are reluctant to return home. Aid workers and NGOs face greater risks. Even the public-private investments that could boost the economy are now at risk due to the deteriorating security environment.
“How can we talk about autonomy or development when local leaders are being hunted down?” asked Dr. Yohana Ongge, a political observer at Cenderawasih University. “What the OPM is doing is sabotaging Papuans’ chance for dignity and progress.”
TNI and Polri: Holding the Line
Indonesia’s military and police continue to face the dual burden of maintaining security and winning hearts and minds in a complex socio-political landscape. While TPNPB-OPM attempts to portray itself as a freedom movement, many Papuans—especially those who benefit from state services—see it as a destabilizing force.
Security operations have been intensified in conflict-prone areas, with new deployments aimed at protecting strategic infrastructure and government officials. But the government also emphasizes a “soft approach” combining dialogue, social aid, and targeted development to win community support.
“Our mission is not only to defeat armed groups but also to safeguard the people’s right to live in peace,” said Regional Police Chief of Papua Tengah, Brig. Gen. Alfred Papare. “That means defending teachers, health workers, and local leaders from terror.”
The police have also increased intelligence operations to detect separatist sympathizers infiltrating local administrations. A hotline for reporting OPM threats has been set up across several regencies, and security escorts for key officials are now standard.
A Broader Agenda of Separatism and Destabilization
At its core, the violence waged by the OPM and its affiliates reflects not just a resistance to Indonesian governance but an attempt to control the Papuan narrative through intimidation. By attacking loyalist Papuans, they seek to delegitimize local governments and sow distrust within communities.
This mirrors global patterns where insurgent groups undermine civilian trust as a means to provoke broader conflict. In Papua’s case, the goal is clear: create instability, delegitimize the central government, and generate international sympathy for a separatist cause.
Yet, many Papuans are rejecting this strategy.
“We don’t want to be used as pawns in a separatist agenda,” said Aleta Kogoya, a teacher from Tolikara. “We want peace. We want roads. We want education for our children. And we want leaders who are brave enough to stand up against this violence.”
A Community at a Crossroads
As Papua navigates its most challenging chapter in recent history, the people are being forced to make difficult choices. The line between loyalty and survival is becoming thinner by the day.
But amid the threats and gunfire, a quiet resilience persists. Civil society groups are stepping up, traditional leaders are calling for peace, and young Papuans are voicing their desire for a future free from violence—on either side.
Efforts like the Special Autonomy program, educational scholarships, and joint development projects are slowly reshaping opportunities for the next generation. However, without security, these initiatives remain fragile.
“We need to stand united, not divided by fear or ideology,” said Pastor Elias Tabuni, who leads interfaith peace-building initiatives in Wamena. “Peace in Papua is not just a dream—it’s a duty.”
Conclusion
The renewed threats from the OPM against Papuan officials and pro-government civilians underscore a dangerous effort to derail the hard-won stability in Indonesia’s easternmost region. By sowing terror and targeting their own people, separatist factions reveal their disregard for the very community they claim to represent.
As the Indonesian state strengthens its security presence and deepens development efforts, the ultimate defense may not be bullets or barricades but the resilience of Papuan communities choosing peace over fear and dignity over division.