TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Humanitarian activist from Wamena, Papua, Yefta Lengka, has questioned Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka's ability to resolve the ongoing violent conflict in Papua.
Yefta, who assists refugees in Nduga, said Gibran lacks the necessary experience to mediate the protracted violence between the Indonesian military and pro-independence groups.
"Gibran is still young and needs a lot of conflict resolution experience," said Yefta, a staff member of the Papua Justice and Integrity Foundation, when contacted on Friday, July 11, 2025.
Yefta also voiced skepticism over Gibran's ability to address human rights issues, particularly the displacement caused by clashes between security forces and separatist groups.
He expressed concern over whether Gibran is equipped to deal with the root causes of the Papua conflict as outlined by the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), now integrated into the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN).
Those four root issues include the historical and political debate over Papua’s integration with Indonesia, the prevalence of violence and human rights abuses, systemic discrimination against Papuans, and the persistent failure of development efforts in the region.
"The resolution of Papua's problems will not be effective and will not be resolved when Gibran leads," Yefta said.
According to him, the responsibility should not fall solely on the vice president. Yefta believes President Prabowo Subianto should personally take charge of resolving the conflict and end military operations in Papua. He also called for the government to prioritize peaceful dialogue with pro-independence factions.
Just two days earlier, John Bunay, coordinator of the Papuan Pastors, also expressed doubts about Gibran’s capability to handle the Papua issue.
He noted that even President Joko Widodo, despite multiple visits to the region and his appointment of former Vice President Ma’ruf Amin as head of the Papua Special Autonomy Acceleration Steering Committee (BP3OKP), failed to deliver a lasting solution.
In response, Vice President Gibran stated that he is ready to carry out the mandate given by President Prabowo and remains open to input from the Papuan community.
"As an assistant to the president, I am ready to be assigned wherever and whenever," Gibran said during a working visit to Klaten Regency, Central Java, on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
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