Indonesian army chief says Papua separatists must be eliminated and development boosted

In a press briefing in Jakarta, army commander Agus asserted that the Free Papua Movement is a separatist threat that must be crushed and that Indonesia cannot tolerate such groups. He stressed that a lasting solution in Papua must involve collaboration among various stakeholders, warning that a purely military approach would spark further conflict. Agus outlined the TNI's broader role, citing infrastructure work, water supply projects, school repairs, health outreach, and educational deployments in remote areas to accelerate development.

The statement came after OPM leaders Egianus Kogoya and Major Belia Kogeya protested the use of Super Tucano aircraft in Nduga, alleging airstrikes wounded six militants. Related reports note recent clashes and the army's pursuit of OPM suspects. Agus framed the combined security and development strategy as essential to changing the perception of the military's presence in Papua.