April 16, 2025 | 09:49 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The commander of the West Papua Army, Mathias L. Wenda, passed away on April 12, 2025, as confirmed by the spokesperson of the West Papua National Liberation Army–Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM), Sebby Sambom.
“Yes, that’s true,” Sebby said on Tuesday, March 15, 2025.
Mathias reportedly passed away from old age and illness at the Vanimo Hospital in Papua New Guinea, at age 104.
According to documents received by Tempo, Mathias has been actively involved in the struggle for the liberation of West Papua since 1966.
His funeral was conducted according to the protocol of the General Secretariat of the West Papua Army in Papua New Guinea.
Sebby referred to Mathias as a leader for the Papuan people. According to Sebby, the West Papua Army, or WPA, is a new organization formed in 2011 and based in Papua New Guinea. "General Mathias Wenda is the “long live” commander of the TPNPB-OPM," said Sebby.
He maintained that the West Papua Army currently does not have a military base in the Papua region. As an organization, Sebby said, WPA is passive in military actions.
"Organizations that have military bases in the Papua region are the National Command (Komando Nasional) and the TPNPB-OPM," he said. Meanwhile, the TPNPB-OPM is comprised of the West Papua National Guard and the Papua State Army.
Editor’s Choice: TNI Refutes TPNPB-OPM's Allegation of Using Children in Espionage
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
TNI Refutes TPNPB-OPM's Allegation of Using Children in Espionage
1 hari lalu
TNI denies that the allegations are baseless and are propaganda by TPNPB-OPM to garner public sympathy.
11 Bodies of TPNPB-OPM Attack Victims in Yakuhimo Handed Over to Families
1 hari lalu
The eleven bodies, victims of the killings by the TPNPB-OPM, were officially handed over to their families on Monday, April 14, 2025.
TPNPB-OPM Accuses Indonesian Army of Running a Silent War in Papua
2 hari lalu
West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB-OPM) speaks out against the ongoing deployment of Indonesian National Army (TNI) personnel to Papua.
TPNPB-OPM Claims It Has an Intelligence Service Called PIS
2 hari lalu
TPNPB-OPM claims that the Papua Intelligence Service (PIS) plays a role in providing on-ground information faster than Indonesian security forces.
TPNPB-OPM: Thousands of Military Personnel Deployed to Papua Since January 2025
3 hari lalu
Papua's TPNPB-OPM has confirmed the addition of troops from the Meepago region to Kodap VIII Intan Jaya to fight against the Indonesian military.
Papua: TPNPB Confirms Additional Troops Joining Forces in Intan Jaya Region
3 hari lalu
West Papua Liberation Army (TPNPB) confirms the addition of troops from the Meepago region that have now joined the TPNPB Kodap VIII Intan Jaya forces
TPNPB-OPM Calls for Non-Papuans to Leave Gold Mines in Yahukimo
3 hari lalu
TPNPB-OPM stated that natural resources in Papua are only for the indigenous people. Non-Papuans were asked to leave the gold mines in Yahukimo.
Reasons Why TPNPB-OPM Justifies Killing Gold Miners, Non-Papuans in Conflict Zones
4 hari lalu
The following are several reasons and claims by the TPNPB-OPM to attack and kill the gold miners in the Yahukimo Regency.
TPNPB-OPM Accuses Gov't of Deploying Troops Disguised as Civilians in Papua
5 hari lalu
According to the spokesperson, the statement could legitimize attacks carried out by TPNPB-OPM against military forces disguised as civilians in Papua.
OPM Justifies Killing of Gold Miners in Papua, Saying Victims Were Military in Disguise
5 hari lalu
OPM claimed that the dozens of people attacked by their group were actually part of the Indonesian army, disguised as gold miners.
