Conflict analysis and policy recommendation on Papua
Yulia Sugandi | FES | 2009
Country: Indonesien
This conflict analysis focuses on the conflict dynamics
and issues arising in the post-otsus (Otonomi khusus
or special autonomy) period after 2001 in Papua. The
abundance of social, cultural and natural resources
in Papua is in contrast to the level of human security
in the area. Since its integration into the Indonesian
state, Papua had suffered from persistent grievances
arising from differences of perception about the history
of its integration into the Indonesian state, continued
impoverishment and an inferiority complex
colored by human rights violations that undermined
the dignity of Papuans. The birth of otsus in 2001 was
one of the turning points when the grievances of indigenous
Papuans started to come to light and to be
addressed. Otsus has been expected to ensure affirmative
action to protect the rights of indigenous Papuans
and involve them actively both as beneficiaries
and drivers of social change in Papua. Nevertheless,
the implementation of otsus has been facing some
challenges, including the lack of trust shown by the
central government. The post-otsus period is still
affected by persistent grievances: negative peace,
problems arising from representational politics, culturally-
incompatible policies, unbalanced extraction
of natural resources, the approach to security,
low levels of social capital, an anomic society in the
phase of social change, a polarization that might trigger
open conflict, and horizontal inequalities. These
complex conditions have created anomalies in the
post-otsus period that the international agencies
working in Papua should be aware of. This paper also
describes the role of each actor of change in Papua, such as grassroots and civil-society organizations, local
governments, women, the military and the central
government as well the international agencies
and the impact of their intervention strategies. All
institutions of change – be they provincial, national
or international - should refrain from acting as agents
of “salvation” that bring a “cargo cult” in disregard
of Papuans´dignity.
There is an urgent need to develop an integrated
crisis prevention strategy that functions as a “safety
valve” in combating anomalies in Papua and that
deserves the attention of actors of change and the
international agencies. The international agencies
should have a deep and critical insight into the complex
problems in Papua, including existing anomalies,
and take them into account in the formulation
of their intervention strategies by adding a culturally
and conflict-sensitive dimension. The resultant intervention
strategy might be expected to pay greater
attention to aspects of dignity and to play a significant
role in shaping human security in Papua.
download [pdf-file, 30 S., 970 KB]
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