West Papua and Timor Leste were both annexed by Indonesia. However, Timor Leste has managed to become an independent country while West Papua is still considered to be part of Indonesia. Through a...Show moreWest Papua and Timor Leste were both annexed by Indonesia. However, Timor Leste has managed to become an independent country while West Papua is still considered to be part of Indonesia. Through a comparison of the nationalism, economic value, and third-party influences in the area, this thesis will argue that the difference in outcome is the result of the influence of third parties motivated by the presence of natural resources the conflicts. Compared to Timor Leste’s natural resources, West Papua’s are much more economically relevant. Timor Leste’s natural resources were not important enough to continue supporting the Indonesian claim over the area. Ethnonationalism in the areas has been very similar, in both areas it has come from a desire to be free from Indonesian rule. Therefore, while ethnonationalism is a basis for an independent country, it does not explain why Timor Leste is independent and West Papua is not.Show less
This thesis addresses the struggles over land, natural resources, and their corresponding rights in West Papua, Indonesia. The struggles for independence and the territorial conflicts have provoked...Show moreThis thesis addresses the struggles over land, natural resources, and their corresponding rights in West Papua, Indonesia. The struggles for independence and the territorial conflicts have provoked the establishment of an indigenous-based independence movement, which opposes the central government policies and state-deployed security forces. To control the separatist movement, 45.000 Indonesian troops are currently occupying the region. This occupation has been ongoing for half a century. An estimated 500,000 Papuans have died at the hands of the military. All these events were linked to land tenure and land grabbing practices. Special attention is paid to the indigenous Papuans, as they rely on their lands for survival. Any incursion onto their land has created severe problems within and between indigenous communities. This thesis attempts to shed light on current events, the different actors involves and the impacts it has on the indigenous way of life of the Papuans.Show less
