Jayapura \u2014 \u201cThe key to peace in Papua rests in the hands of\ntraditional leaders as community figures and \u2018rulers of the earth\u2019 in\nPapua,\u201d said Herman Yoku, Chief of the Wikaya tribe, Keerom District, in\na statement to ANTARA in Jayapura.<\/p>\n
Papua has held the designation of \u201cPapua Tanah Damai\u201d (Peaceful Papua\nLand) since 2019. The signing of the peace declaration was witnessed by\nthe then-Commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) Marsekal TNI\nHadi Tjahjanto and then-National Police Chief General Pol Tito\nKarnavian, who currently serves as Minister of Home Affairs.<\/p>\n
The declaration was signed by community leaders, religious figures\nand youth representatives, and finalised by the then-Papua Police Chief\nIrjen Pol Rudolf Rodja, Commander of Military Command XVII\/Cenderawasih\nMayjen TNI Yoshua Sembiring, and Papua Governor Lukas Enembe in\nJayapura.<\/p>\n
Papua Tanah Damai represents a shared vision and declaration among\nreligious and community leaders to create a safe, harmonious and\nconducive environment. The movement emphasises the importance of\ninterfaith harmony and unity within the framework of the Unitary State\nof the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI), though its implementation continues\nto face challenges related to inequality and conflict.<\/p>\n
According to Herman, calls to end conflict in Papua are inconsistent\nwith the province\u2019s \u201cPapua Tanah Damai\u201d designation. \u201cFor this reason,\nwe must strengthen communication between the government and traditional\nleaders as a pillar of development,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n
Given the situation in Papua, numerous deaths from ongoing violence\ncontinue to occur, contradicting the province\u2019s peaceful designation. A\nmeeting of ondoafi and tribal chiefs across Papua with regional\ngovernment in Jayapura on 13 February 2026 represents a strategic step\nto address these challenges whilst reinforcing the role of ondoafi and\ntribal chiefs in safeguarding Papua\u2019s unity within the NKRI\nframework.<\/p>\n
Government openness to resuming communication with ondoafi and tribal\nchiefs provides a strategic opportunity to end conflict in Papua. The\ngovernment must genuinely engage with communities through ondoafi and\ntribal chiefs, as these leaders hold a crucial role as the key to peace\nin Papua.<\/p>\n
Ondoafi represents the highest and oldest traditional leadership\nsystem in Papua, particularly among indigenous communities in Sentani\nand Jayapura, often compared to a king or highest-ranking tribal chief.\nOndoafi lead several villages and patrilineal lineages, regulate social\norder, maintain security and hold full authority over customary lands;\nin certain regions, ondoafi are also called ondofolo.<\/p>\n
Tribal chiefs are the highest leaders or central figures within a\ntribe, clan or indigenous community who regulate customs, resolve social\nissues and maintain community stability. They are selected based on\nlocal wisdom, seniority or descent, and are respected as the highest\ndecision-makers.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/the-role-of-indigenous-leaders-in-safeguarding-papuas-unity-within-the-indonesian-nation-1772165521", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }