December 1, 2021 will mark the 60th anniversary of the birth of West Papua. It also marks the first anniversary of the formation of the ULMWP Provisional Government.

To my people back home and around the world: this is a very significant and important day for us to remember. When the Morning Star was raised by the New Guinea Council on December 1, 1961, they formed the embryo of the nation.

I call on everyone to celebrate this day through peaceful prayer meetings. To our international solidarity supporters, please use your freedom to show your support for our struggle, wherever you are. Special flag raising ceremonies coordinated by the Provisional Government will take place in PNG, Vanuatu, the Netherlands, and the UK. I also invite Indonesian solidarity and all Indonesian citizens to pray for us and respect our national day, as we have respected your independence day.

On this day we will remember people in the bush, particularly the thousands displaced by Indonesian military operations in Intan Jaya, Nduga, Puncak Jaya, Maybrat and Oksibil. We remember the two year old baby killed at the hands of the Indonesian government last month.

The world must keep an eye on our nation on December 1. There is often bloodshed carried out by Indonesian military and police. We do not want this – we will be celebrating in a peaceful way. There is no need to harass, intimidate or attack those who are peacefully praying. I call on the Indonesian government and President to leave us alone on our national day. Our time is coming, and one day we will stand side-by-side as good neighbours.

We will also be celebrating the announcements and progress we have made in the last two years, with our constitution, Provisional Government, cabinet, and recently our Green State Vision for the nation. The ULMWP Provisional Government has consistently recognised all proclamations made in the history of our struggle by West Papuan leaders before us.

With these important steps we have made, I encourage my people to come together in one spirit to celebrate and move us closer to our goal of independence and self-determination for all. We wish peace on West Papua, on Indonesia, the region and the whole world.

Benny Wenda
Interim President
ULMWP Provisional Government