28th October 2018
On behalf of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) I send my greetings to the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) on their congress and I hope that the result of this congress will bring good news for our people.
KNPB was formed in 2008 to mobilise the West Papuan people towards independence through a referendum in accordance with our fundamental right to self-determination. In the last 10 years we have seen enormous successes and great leaps forward in the unification and struggle of our people. Throughout the years, we have seen the formation of the International Parliamentarians for West Papua, International Lawyers for West Papua and the United Liberation Movement for West Papua. KNPB has always been present. I hope that KNPB will continue to show its maturity and be an inspiring example to the world of our discipline and our unity. I hope that it will continue to work with the Action Committee of ULMWP and everyone from all organisations. Let us all unite as part of ULMWP.
As Chairman of ULMWP I would like to convey a message of unity to all West Papuan people. Now is the right time for everyone to unite and work together to support ULMWP’s work and our aim of an internationally supervised vote (a referendum) for West Papuan independence. Our greatest weapon to fight Indonesia is unity. In our one struggle, we are fighting under one flag for one goal. All organisations in West Papua are equal and vital assets to our struggle. There is no more division in West Papua. From the jungle to the city, from the city to international fora; no person and no organisation is left behind. Let us continue to unite and come together as one; one spirit to end the suffering of our people. Whatever the different political affiliation, the agenda and cause is one, a referendum. We are all part of ULMWP. As the spirit and vessel of the West Papuan nation, ULMWP will continue to unify our people in our struggle for independence.
Therefore, on behalf of ULMWP, I appeal to all factions and organisations of the West Papuan independence struggle; whether you are formally affiliated or informally, to continue to unite and work together with ULMWP for the self-determination and freedom of the West Papuan nation. Now is the time for all of us to unite, from the elders in the jungle to the youths in the city. As the nationally and internationally recognised representative body of the West Papuan people, ULMWP will continue to accommodate all groups both inside and outside our nation struggling for West Papuan independence.
Let us show the world our unity and our discipline. We are one people and one soul and though our united struggle for self-determination, let us all stand firm with one agenda for a free West Papua. If any individual or group is actively against the ULMWP, they are the enemy of the West Papuan people. Everyone, from all organisations must remember, our enemy is Indonesia and only Indonesia. We know that our enemy is not sleeping but their aim is trying to systematically divide and destroy West Papua. United we stand, divided we fall. We will not allow our enemy to divide us.
Through the Saralana Declaration of 2014, we the people of West Papua made the historic stand to reconcile and unify in peace. In the spirit and name of God and our ancestors, let us continue to walk hand in hand with one another in peace down the long road to freedom. One day, West Papua will be free.
On behalf of the ULMWP, I send my deepest respects and greetings to you all.
May God Bless West Papua. Papua Merdeka.
Benny Wenda
Chairman of The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP).