In humble surrender to the absolute authority of God, I present this statement to the commanders of Military and Police and Heads of States of Melanesian countries, the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG); to all Melanesian peoples across the archipelago; and particularly West Papuans living in the bush, in villages, in cities, or in exile in towns and countries around the world:

We are all deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the last remaining revolutionary commander from the original generation of the West Papuan liberation struggle: Chief General Mathias Wenda. I call for a two-week period of national mourning across West Papua and Melanesia, in recognition of the achievements of this giant of our movement.

Chief General Wenda was the only revolutionary leader from that first generation to guide our struggle into the modern era. Along with other commanders, he fought his entire life for an independent, fully liberated Republic of West Papua. He recruited, taught and promoted many leaders who are still active in West Papua and in exile – including myself, as the Interim President of the ULMWP Provisional Government.

Chief General Wenda inspired the drafting of the original ULMWP Constitution in 2014, and guided the drafting and passing of the Constitution of the ULMWP Provisional Government in October 2020. Until he passed away, he was the Commander-in-Chief of West Papua Army (WPA).

His passing must be a celebration of his achievements, not only for us in West Papua, but for everyone across the Melanesian archipelago. General Wenda demonstrated to the world his character, leadership, determination and commitment, as a Melanesian clan elder who led a revolution in the modern age, for a modern nation-state; a man who didn’t read and write, but learned everything during a lifetime spent in the jungle of New Guinea; who travelled the second largest island on Earth barefoot, from Wamena in the Central Highlands to Vanimo, Sandaun Province, Papua New Guinea.

I also take this opportunity to express my deep appreciation to other late Melanesian elders: the Late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, Iambakey Okuk, Father Walter Lini, Sir Julius Chan and many others. I express our gratitude to successive Prime Ministers of Papua New Guinea, to the PNG military, police forces and citizens as “Wan Bus – Wan Giraun na Wan Tumbuna”.

A Free West Papua was General Wenda’s dream: he understood that only by freeing West Papua can we finally free Melanesia from the colonial footprint. Only then can we become One: One Shared Origin, One Island and One Destiny.

God has begun removing all arbitrary borders created by the evil of colonialism. We will complete his work when we come home, and finally arrive at a “United States of Melanesia”: undivided, strong and prosperous. This is the path towards welcoming Jesus as King of Kings, Lord of Lords, ruling from this green and unpredictable island of New Guinea.

Mathias Wenda’s spirit is at rest now, but it continues to bless our fight, and he will be with us when we finally raise the Morning Star in a free West Papua.

Benny Wenda
Interim President
ULMWP