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Govt claims armed group behind deadly Wamena riot, dismisses concerns of ethnic violence
“Wamena is like a dead city with almost no one brave enough to continue with their normal activities.”
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Evacuees wait for their turn to board an Indonesian Military (TNI) aircraft at Wamena Airport in Jayawijaya regency on Sept. 28 following a deadly riot on Sept. 23. (Antara/Iwan Adisaputra)
T
he government has accused a Papuan armed group of being behind the deadly riot in Wamena, Papua, last week that led to the deaths of at least 33 people and resulted in thousands of residents fleeing the city. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said in a press conference on Monday that the armed group provoked the deadly unrest and dismissed concerns the riot was the result of an ethnic conflict between native Papuans and non-natives.
“I have ordered Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister [Wiranto], the Indonesian Military [TNI] and the police to pursue the rioters,” Jokowi said, after sending his condolences to victims’ families.
The President called on Wamena residents to stay in the region and go on with their lives. He guaranteed their security by saying that the police had managed to capture a number of the rioters.
“The security forces have worked hard to protect all citizens,” Jokowi added.
Minister Wiranto, at a separate press conference, said the rioters involved in the Wamena unrest were mobilized by two forces, namely the Free Papua Movement (OPM) and an international organization led by United Kingdom-based Papuan exile Benny Wenda.
“The OPM and Benny Wenda tried to build up the riots and expose them to the world. It was a conspiracy to separate Papua and West Papua [from Indonesia],” the minister said. The unrest happened shortly before the annual United Nations General Assembly held at the UN headquarters in New York, the United States, last week and Wiranto claimed that it was not a coincidence.
The government claimed previously the turmoil was intentionally created by separatist groups with the intention for it to be brought up at the General Assembly. “[Luckily,] no country has given special attention to the attempt [to separate Papua and West Papua from Indonesia], which is against UNGA Resolution No. 2504 of 1969,” Wiranto said.
