YAHUKIMO — The security situation in Dekai City, Yahukimo Regency, Highland Papua, reportedly escalated following the unannounced arrival of the Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. The visit, which was conducted without prior official public notification, was accompanied by repressive actions by joint security forces targeting the regional office of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB).
The arrival of the Indonesian Vice President appeared to be kept under wraps, with information only reaching the public abruptly around 10:00 AM Papua Time. However, since the early hours of the morning at approximately 01:00 AM, joint forces consisting of the TNI, POLRI, Brimob, Damai Cartenz Task Force, Habema Task Force, and Marines had already established a heavy presence at several strategic locations throughout Dekai, including Jalan Masih, Jalan Lokbon, Kali Biru, and the Jalan Gunung area.
The tension peaked at 01:30 AM when fully armed personnel arrived and took control of the KNPB Yahukimo Regional Office grounds. According to testimonies from a KNPB internal source identified as J-B, security forces reportedly entered the office premises by force and conducted a search without any clear legal procedure. During the raid, one glass window was reportedly shattered, and various equipment belonging to KNPB members inside the office was left in disarray after being ransacked. The forces eventually vacated the location around 10:15 AM, shortly after news of the raid began to circulate widely on social media.
In response to the incident, the Yahukimo KNPB emphasized that these actions constitute a form of clear intimidation and terror against a civil movement. As an organization that consistently pursues non-violent resistance, the KNPB strongly condemned the search, which was carried out without a warrant or prior notification. This action is viewed as a serious violation of legal principles and fundamental human rights.
Furthermore, the presence of the Vice President and the massive deployment of troops in Yahukimo are strongly suspected to be linked to the securing of National Strategic Projects (PSN). The KNPB assesses that this security approach is an attempt by the state to pave the way for the large-scale exploitation of natural resources within Yahukimo’s customary territories, including coal reserves in Suru-suru, oil in Soba, and gold potential in the Korowai and Yallenang regions.
Reports from Human Rights Defenders (HRD) on the ground confirm that the increased security escalation surrounding the visit of state officials has significantly constricted the civil space for Indigenous Papuans. As of the time of this report, the situation in Yahukimo remains under close observation, while the people of the seven major tribes and five sub-tribes in the region feel increasingly threatened by a security presence that is perceived to prioritize investment interests over the protection of civilian lives. ***