OPM Called Benny Wenda Influenced By The US And Australia In The West Papua Government Declaration

West Papua Liberation Association (ULMWP) Movement Leader Benny Wenda (Twitter / @ bennywenda)

JAKARTA - The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM) declared that it rejected Benny Wenda's government declaration. The motion of no confidence also said that Benny Wenda's declaration was influenced by the United States (US) and Australia.

Through a written statement, TPNPB-OPM spokesman Sebby Sambon also rejected Benny Wenda's statement claiming to be the interim president of West Papua. Sebby also said that Benny Wenda's declaration was against the principles of the Papuan national revolution.

According to Sebby, Benny Wenda's claim for independence did not provide any benefit for the Papuan people who wanted full independence from all forms of colonialism.

Sebby also accused the chairman of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) of working together for the interests of foreign capitalists, namely the US and Australia.

"Starting Wednesday, December 2, 2020, we from the Management of the National Commission for National TPNPB-OPM will announce a motion of no confidence in Benny Wenda," wrote a statement quoted on Thursday, December 3.

Furthermore, Sebby highlighted Benny Wenda's declaration which was not carried out in Papua. This, according to Sebby, made Benny Wenda's declaration unlawful by the majority of Papuans. This is also related to Benny Wenda's temporary presidential status, which is not ideal because of Benny Wenda's citizenship status.

"Benny Wenda is a British citizen and according to international law foreign nationals cannot become President of the Republic of West Papua," he said.

TPNPB-OPM emphasized that they did not want to compromise with Benny Wenda regarding the declaration. "According to international law, Benny Wenda has declared and announced a country and his claims in a foreign country, namely in the British kingdom, are very untrue and cannot be accepted by human common sense," he said.