PANIAI - The Executive Board of the National Committee for West Papua (KNPB) Paniai Region officially inaugurated the ranks of officers of the KNPB Wedauma Sector on Saturday (6/6/2026). This step was taken as part of organizational consolidation at the grassroots level in responding to the social and political situation in the land of Papua.
​The inauguration procession of the new ranks of officers took place in Kebo Kowabeu Kotopa and ended at around 12:30 WIT safely and orderly. This agenda was attended by dozens of KNPB activists as well as the community, then closed with a short service, prayer, and a photo session together.
​The General Chairman of the KNPB Paniai Region, Musa Tobai, directly led the appointment of the ranks of officers of the Wedauma Sector for the new period. The main structural positions are now occupied by Musa Gobai as the General Chairman, Andi Degei as Chairman I, Elias M. Degei as the General Secretary-General, and Yonatan Yeimo as Secretary-General II.
​This inauguration carried the theme Papua Military and Humanitarian Emergency Zone, a message referring to the security dynamics occurring in the region. In his direction, Musa Tobai conveyed an ideological message regarding the importance of total reconciliation between fellow humans, nature, and the creator as the foundation of the movement.
​"Reconciliation is important, whether the peace of God, nature, and the people, because independence does not come from afar, no, independence is within ourselves," said Musa Tobai.
​Meanwhile, the elected Chairman of the KNPB Wedauma Sector stated that the handover of the Decree (SK) of management is the beginning of the collective work of the organization. The main focus of this new management is to advocate for issues of human protection as well as environmental preservation in the Wedauma area.
​"We have been inaugurated as officers and members of the Wedauma Sector, I only hold the SK so we activists from the chairman to the members work together to save humans and the nature of Wedauma," explained Musa Gobai.
​The security situation in the central highlands region of Papua, including Paniai, indeed continues to be a serious concern from various civil organizations as well as armed guerrillas.
​The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) consistently continues to voice opposition against the presence and military operations of Indonesia in the region.
​The mobilization of troops carried out by the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) is said to trigger an escalation of tension that directly impacts the movement space of civil society. Clashes involving the TPNPB and the Indonesian military in several hinterland areas are also reported to trigger a wave of displacement of local residents from their hometowns.
​Responding to these conditions, civil organizations such as the KNPB seek to strengthen the structural base to monitor humanitarian issues at the grassroots level. The strengthening of the organization at this sector level is expected to increase the effectiveness of monitoring the impacts of the armed conflict involving the TPNPB. (One Papua)