Papua- Lambert Pekikir is a familiar name in the world of West Papuan struggle. In the period 2008 to 2013, Lambert was known as the General Coordinator of the West Papua National Liberation Army – Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM). He leads Victoria’s headquarters in Papua New Guinea, an area directly bordering Keerom Regency, Papua.
Around 2013, Lambert began to rethink his approach to fighting. He realized that the path of violence was fruitless and only brought suffering.
With more mature thinking, Lambert began to view dialogue as a more effective solution to solving problems in Papua. This view was at odds with his colleagues who still believed in armed struggle.
In 2013, Lambert specifically opened communications with security forces. The aim is to be able to express his aspirations directly in front of the president. This step is Lambert’s serious effort to find a peaceful way to resolve the conflict in Papua.
A year later, in 2014, Lambert, accompanied by J.O Sembiring (then Commander of Korem 172/PWY with the rank of Brigadier General) managed to meet the President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
The meeting with President SBY was a turning point for Lambert Pekikir. After the meeting, Lambert committed to supporting all forms of development in Papua.
He sees that development is the best way to improve the welfare of the Papuan people.
