Jayapura, Jubi – The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) says it will stage another round of coordinated demonstrations on 15 August 2026 to mark the anniversary of the New York Agreement, with protest planned across all 36 of the organisation's regional commands throughout the Land of Papua.
KNPB spokesperson Ogram Wanimbo announced the plan following the group's "Papua: Military and Humanitarian Emergency" rally in Perumnas III Waena, Heram District, Jayapura City, on Monday, 3 August 2026.
The New York Agreement, signed by Indonesia and the Netherlands at the United Nations headquarters on 15 August 1962, provided for the transfer of the then-Netherlands New Guinea (West Irian/Papua) to the United Nations Temporary Executive Authority (UNTEA) before administration was handed over to Indonesia.
Wanimbo said Monday's nationwide protest served as an initial mobilisation ahead of the larger coordinated demonstrations planned for 15 August.
He also referred to the ongoing armed conflict between the West Papua National Liberation Army – Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM) and Indonesian security forces.
According to Wanimbo, civilian casualties will continue if there is no ceasefire between the two sides.
"As a people's movement, KNPB will continue to organise public demonstrations calling for mediation. We also urge the Indonesian government to withdraw military forces from conflict-affected areas," he said.
He said KNPB was also calling on the Indonesian government to pursue a concrete peace process by bringing representatives of the Indonesian government and TPNPB-OPM to the negotiating table.
Wanimbo argued that if the armed conflict continues and civilians continue to bear the consequences, Papuans would continue to resist through armed groups, political movements, Indigenous communities, and supporters both inside and outside the country.
"Respect the Indigenous people who live on this land. Every piece of land from Sorong to Merauke has its customary owners. Do not use military force to suppress the people, kill civilians, and then take control of customary land," he said.
Meanwhile, Jayapura City Police Chief Senior Commissioner Fredrickus Maclarimboen said authorities deployed 1,432 joint personnel from Jayapura City Police and the Papua Regional Police to secure Monday's KNPB demonstration within the city's jurisdiction.
"Today we saw that public activities, including schools and health services, were disrupted. However, the overall security and public order situation remained stable and under control," Maclarimboen said.