Army officer’s killing reignites conflict with Papua separatists
A spokesperson for Papuan nationalist group, Sebby Sambom, claimed responsibility for the death of Second Lieutenant Oktovianus Sogorlay, who was ambushed along with a local village chief in Painai district. The killings follow a change by the Indonesian military towards pro-independence groups.
Jakarta (AsiaNews) – The killing of an Indonesian army officer is once again raising tensions in Papua, a province in the eastern part of the country, scene of an ongoing struggle by local pro-independence groups.
In the ambush in Painai district, Second Lieutenant Oktovianus Sogorlay was shot and stabbed by local rebels along with a village chief.
In a statement released today, Sebby Samambom, a spokesperson for the Papuan Independence Organisation (Organisasi Papua Merdeka, OPM), claimed responsibility for the attack, noting that the group was "fully accountable" for last week’s deadly incident.
The officer was riding his motorcycle along the Trans Paniai-Intan Jaya Road, a route considered safe, when he was suddenly attacked and had no way to react.
“This ambush was led by Major Osea Satu Boma, our local army commander,” Sambom said.
The incident occurred a day after the Indonesian military announced changes to its approach towards West Papua armed groups and political movements seeking the region’s autonomy or independence.
General Agus Subiyanto, Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, stressed that all active armed groups will be considered part of the OPM, which is fighting for the region’s independence against the “manipulative Indonesian occupation”.
Explaining the decision, the senior officer said he was "fully convinced" that the army would stop the activities of armed groups, adding that security forces in Papua are involved not only in security, but also in humanitarian aid to the population.
Since its transfer from Dutch to Indonesian sovereignty in 1962-63, West Papua has been gripped by nationalist tensions, with the local population feeling discriminated by the government in Jakarta.
Even today, various groups are pushing for the region’s secession, saying that a "slow-motion genocide" is underway against the indigenous, mostly Christian population.
For Major General Nugraha Gumilar, spokesman for the Indonesian Armed Forces, “The killing of the [Second] Lieutenant Sogorly was indeed a serious and gross human right violation”.
In his opinion, the change of terminology from "criminal gang groups" to OPM further shows the military’s commitment to protect its soldiers on the ground. By treating OPM members “as armed combatants,” the latter become legitimate targets.
In Indonesia, politicians and human rights groups have been debating whether Jakarta should launch a massive military campaign against these movements.
“We intend to boost morale among our servicemen on the ground so that they have no doubts when they are asked to engage with armed groups,” Major General Gumilar added.
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