The prolonged conflict in Papua, which now consists of five provinces, is fertile soil for the elite to preserve their power, no matter the suffering Papuans have to bear.

We are very good at using conspiracy theories when foreign (read: Western) countries or international organizations express concern over or condemn human rights abuses against Papuans. We ignore the voices of our Papuan brethren who want to be treated as equal Indonesian citizens.

Those of us who live outside of Papua and have little knowledge, or even empathy, about the longstanding plight of our many Papuan brothers and sisters have often responded to their aspirations for freedom with the nationalistic catchphrase, “NKRI harga mati (the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, or death)!” We rarely ask ourselves why they rebel.

The Indonesian Military (TNI) and our ultranationalist establishment could regard the defense agreement the United States and Papua New Guinea (PNG) signed last week as irritating, because the pact will give Washington access to take a peek at Indonesia’s Papua. We may accuse the US and PNG of setting an agenda to undermine our territorial integrity or conspiring to support Papua’s independence from Indonesia, the way East Timor broke away from the republic in 1999.

The TNI’s top brass has not reacted to the US-PNG defense cooperation, but some generals and nationalist figures will likely link the bilateral agreement with their suspicions that the US has a hidden agenda in Papua. The new defense cooperation will give them much-needed justification for such a conspiracy theory.

In fact, PNG has proved its sincere intention to build good neighborly relations with Indonesia. Its parliament ratified a border arrangement agreement with Indonesia just a few days before Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko flew to Jakarta on March 21 to meet with his Indonesian counterpart, Retno LP Marsudi.

“The ratification will pave the way for both PNG and Indonesia to review the current status of the border and constructively address outstanding issues that affect both countries,” Retno told Tkatchenko at the meeting.

According to Asia Pacific Report (APR), the PNG parliament unanimously ratified the border agreement 81-0, one decade after the two countries signed it in 2013, while Indonesia’s House of Representatives ratified the deal that same year.

During its ratification, APR also reported that minister of parliament Vanimo-Green and former soldier Belden Namah “asked why border liaison meetings were always held in [...] Jakarta”. It also quoted Namah alleging that Indonesian officials were “getting our officers drunk, giving them women and then coming to the meeting – they are just sitting there saying, ‘Yes sir, yes sir’!”

As regards the recent defense cooperation, PNG Prime Minister James Marape said the US’s increased involvement in the country’s security was driven primarily by a need to build up PNG's defense forces, rather than as a response to the US-China geopolitical rivalry.

Of course, we must understand this as a political statement to appease the people, both at home and in its prominent neighbors.

International media reported that a leaked draft of the cooperation suggested it gave US personnel and contractors legal immunity, allowed aircraft, vehicles and vessels operated by or on behalf of the US to move freely within its territory and territorial waters, and exempted US staff from all immigration requirements. The entirety of the pact is unlikely to be publicized until the two countries’ legislatures finish ratifying the agreement.

The agreement comes just a year after China and the Solomon Islands signed a security pact that opened the possibility for China to build a military base there. The deal shocked the US and its allies, especially Australia. Clearly, the two superpowers are fighting to win the hearts and minds of the 16 members of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).

Following the China-Solomon Islands deal, Beijing has reportedly agreed to send armed police, military personnel and other law enforcement units to assist Honiara in “maintaining social order, protecting people’s lives and property and providing humanitarian assistance”.

The deal also states that Beijing, with the Honiara’s consent, can use its forces to protect Chinese personnel and projects, as well as allow its ships to stop over and carry out “logistical replenishment” in the Solomon Islands.

Many Indonesians are often confused by the fundamental nature of the armed movement in Papua, whether it is purely an expression of resentment toward the central government or whether this is combined with an evil conspiracy by Jakarta and local actors. Then there are the international players, whom the political elite accuse of fanning separatism in Papua.

One thing is certain, however. With or without foreign intervention, ordinary Papuans will continue to endure oppression and intimidation, whether from security troops or armed rebel groups. The elites and politicians, both local and national, will continue manipulating the plight of ordinary Papuans just to cling to power and, consequently, enrich themselves.

Do we realize that our ignorance has triggered their aspiration to secede from Indonesia, with its colonial mentality, and instead join the people of Pacific island nations, who are similar to them both culturally and ethnically?

Our suspicion over the motive behind the US-PNG defense cooperation is too far-fetched.

PNG has the right to protect its people and national interests, including by establishing military cooperation with other countries. The presence of the US military in the neighboring country will not affect Indonesia’s territorial integrity, so long as the Papuan people feel that Indonesia is their home and can’t imagine splitting off from their beloved country.

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The writer is senior editor at The Jakarta Post.