In what has been described as a historic and emotional event, more than 3,000 West Papuans gathered to witness the swearing-in of 250 Senate Members, 350 Legislative Council Members, and 1,740 Regional Council Members—a total of 2,340 representatives from the national to village level.
ULMWP President Benny Wenda and Prime Minister Edison Waromi took their oaths during the second Plenary Session, formalising their roles as heads of the Provisional Government.
Speaking after the event, President Wenda said: “We have now completed our internal structure, implementing democracy even before winning independence. The ULMWP is ready to engage with the world as a government-in-waiting.”
Morris Kaloran, Vanuatu’s Special Envoy for West Papua, welcomed the development and praised the determination of the West Papuan people amid ongoing military violence and displacement.
“Even though our Melanesian brothers and sisters are hiding in the bush from rockets and drone attacks, they still have the courage to come together, approve their government structure, and elect their leaders,” he said. “This moment shows that the people of West Papua and their leaders are united and ready to move their struggle forward.”
Kaloran said the establishment of the Provisional Government is the result of a legitimate political process and reflects the will of Indigenous West Papuans to govern themselves.
“This is a transition to a fully functioning government once the United Nations grants West Papua its right to self-government or independence. The new structure and elected officials will raise the standing of ULMWP in the Pacific and beyond,” he said.
He noted that 110 UN member states—including Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) members and Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) countries—already recognise ULMWP as the political voice of the West Papuan people.
Kaloran called on Vanuatu and other MSG members to take a further step by officially recognising the Provisional Government and upgrading ULMWP’s status from observer to associate or full member.
He also urged the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva to liaise directly with Provisional Government representatives and support a long-delayed fact-finding mission to West Papua—a mission that has been repeatedly blocked by the Indonesian Government.
Kaloran further called for West Papua to be reinstated on the UN Committee of 24, the decolonisation committee from which it was removed following Indonesia's occupation in 1962.
Wenda reminded the world that West Papua’s journey to independence began in 1961, when the West New Guinea Council raised the Morning Star flag, sang the national anthem, and marked their declaration of independence in front of diplomats from Australia, the Netherlands, the UK, France, and Papua New Guinea.
“The inauguration marked the rebirth of the West Papuan state,” Wenda said.
“Our ancestors are with us in this fight.”
Wenda added that the ULMWP now has all the key elements of a functioning government: a cabinet, laws, constitution, Green State Vision, and a global diplomatic network.
“There are precedents for recognising liberation movements before full independence—like the FLNKS, Vanuatu’s Provisional Government, the PLO, and the Polisario Front. The ULMWP is ready to take on that role,” he said.
Kaloran also spoke about the importance of showing democratic leadership before independence—a key step, he believes, that will earn trust from the global community.
“This is what makes us different. We are not just asking for freedom—we are building a democratic state now. That shows the world we are ready,” he said.
He called on the Government of Vanuatu, which has already passed a bipartisan motion in support of West Papua’s independence, to take the next step by sending a formal diplomatic note to the Indonesian Government recognising the Provisional Government.
“Vanuatu has always been the beacon of hope for West Papua. If we take this diplomatic step, I believe others will follow. The world will pay attention.”
Kaloran made a moral appeal to all Pacific nations, saying the West Papuan cause is a Christian, Melanesian, and humanitarian responsibility.
“As Christians, we have a duty to help our neighbours who are suffering. It is wrong to look the other way,” he said.
He also called on civil society—chiefs, churches, women, youth, and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)—to restart Free West Papua campaigns, warning that the movement is losing momentum and needs to be reignited across the region.
“Just go online and search ‘ULMWP’. Read what’s happening. Let the spirit move you,” he urged.
Kaloran issued a direct message to Vanuatu’s youth: “If a young Ni-Vanuatu reads this and doesn’t know about West Papua’s struggle, they need to understand: since the 1960s, 500,000 people have disappeared, 30,000 live as refugees on the PNG border, and 85,000 have fled into the jungle since 2019. More than 150 churches have been destroyed, and over 1,000 have died due to displacement.”
He continued: “If this happened in Vanuatu, what would you do? Would you stay silent? As young men and women of Vanuatu, you have your freedom—but with that comes responsibility.”
Kaloran closed by urging Pacific unity to protect the region from geopolitical interference and to safeguard the peace and future of all Melanesians.
“West Papua is on the edge of global recognition. Let’s stand together and take action. Let’s push our governments and bring back the Free West Papua movement. Together, we can free West Papua.”
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