In a ceremony on January 28, Santo chiefs designated over one hectare of land
to the people of West Papua in a show of support and solidarity. According to
the Port Vila Presse, the Santo chief said, “it is a sign of keeping our
Melanesian values and principles intact—which means nothing can come between
us in the struggle for West Papua independence." The land will be used for
a new West Papua office in Vanuatu.
Also called Irian Jaya, West Papua was incorporated into Indonesia in 1963
from the Dutch. Since, the Indonesian government has marginalized the indigenous
peoples of West Papua who face discrimination, poverty, and ethnocide as a
result of international companies’ exploitation of the mineral rich land.
The Free West Papua Movement (OPM) struggles to resist Indonesian control and
gain independence.
