Yerica Lai (The Jakarta Post) Tue, February 8, 2022
Papuan students demonstrate in favor of Papuan independence at the police headquarters in Surabaya on Dec. 1, 2021, to coincide with the anniversary of the Free Papua Movement (OPM). (AFP/Juni Kriswanto)
Indonesian military (TNI) chief Gen. Andika Perkasa has offered a new softer approach to resolving the long-standing conflict in the country’s easternmost provinces of Papua and West Papua. But experts say integrated actions among cross-sector stakeholders are needed to solve the complex problems facing the Papuan people. Since his appointment late last year, Andika has promised to move away from the military approach, promising a softer, nonmilitary strategy aimed at winning the hearts and minds of the Papuan people. But multiple incidents that occurred recently show that there is little sign of a de-escalation of the conflict between armed criminal groups and the military and police, which has claimed lives on both sides and among civilians.
This article was published in thejakartapost.com with the title "TNI tries softer approach to Papua, but doubts remain". Click to read: https://www.thejakartapost.com/indonesia/2022/02/07/tni-tries-softer-approach-to-papua-but-doubts-remain.html.