Jayapura – Leaders of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) and representatives of the Vanuatu government gathered again in Port Villa, Vanuatu, on August 22. During the meeting, the parties agreed to reconcile and reunite within the ULMWP in November 2026 in Vanuatu.
The meeting was organised by the Hon. Ralph Regenvanu, Minister of Climate Change Adaptation, Energy, Environment, Meteorology, Geo-Hazards and Disaster Management of the Republic of Vanuatu, and the Hon. Joe Natuman, Special Envoy for Decolonisation and Maritime Boundary Delimitation.
Meanwhile attending from the ULMWP was the Hon. Octavianus Mote and the Hon. Benny Wenda, as well as the Hon. Job Dalesa, Chairperson of the Vanuatu Free West Papua Association.
The meeting was held in order to acknowledge the ongoing differences between ULMWP factions and recognise the need to maintain and strengthen the struggle of the West Papuan people through cooperation and mutual respect. The parties in attendance expressed their commitment to the process of peaceful reconciliation and reunification.
"[In] the Republic of Vanuatu, on Saturday, August 22, 2026, representatives and supporters of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) met to discuss the importance of reconciliation and reunification, as well as joint action to advance the aspirations of the West Papuan people."
Accordingly, the parties agreed in principle to participate in a reconciliation event to be held in Port Vila, Vanuatu, in November, as an important milestone towards restoring unity and encouraging constructive engagement among all stakeholders.
The meeting also recognised and supported the work of the Reconciliation Committee established in West Papua, which continues to engage closely with churches, traditional leaders, communities and the people of West Papua.
Related to this, it was agreed that a structured Reconciliation Pathway would be implemented from this date and culminate in a proposed reconciliation meeting in November.
The meeting acknowledged that the Berghof Foundation, the Pacific Conference of Churches, the Malvatumauri National Council of Chiefs and the Vanuatu National Council of Women would provide technical facilitation in the process.
The Government of the Republic of Vanuatu expressed its willingness to host and facilitate this process as a significant contribution to strengthening the voice of a united West Papuan people on matters relating to the dignity, rights, well-being and human rights of the Melanesian people of West Papua.
The government also encouraged all stakeholders to undertake the reconciliation process in a spirit of good faith, humility, mutual respect and a shared commitment to the future of the West Papuan people.
The participants reaffirmed their belief that reconciliation and reunification are essential foundations for effective advocacy and joint engagement on issues impacting West Papua at the national, regional, and international levels.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Pimpinan ULMWP Capai Kesepakatan untuk Bersatu".]
Source: https://suarapapua.com/2026/08/25/pimpinan-ulmwp-capai-kesepakatan-untuk-bersatu/
