The Dynamics of Special Autonomy as the Indonesian Government's Negotiation Approach in Responding to the Papua Conflict

The 1969 Act of Free Choice (Pepera) did not immediately end the ongoing conflict and resistance in Papua. Issues related to injustice, socio-economic disparity, and legal discrimination continued to surface. The situation became more complex with the emergence of the separatist movement under the Free Papua Organization (OPM), which fought against the government. After the government’s repressive military approach was deemed less effective in addressing the conflict, a peaceful diplomatic approach was adopted. This was actualized through the Special Autonomy policy, regulated by Law No. 21/2001 and its amendment, Law No. 35/2008. However, the law, which took effect in 2001, has yet to fully achieve its fundamental goal of rebuilding public trust and resolving Papua’s issues. This study aims to provide a detailed analysis of the dynamics of the Special Autonomy implementation in Papua. Using the negotiation strategy and tactics approach by Pruitt and Carnevale, the study finds that the special autonomy framework is one of the Indonesian government’s negotiation strategies in responding to the Papua conflict. The government’s commitment to development from education and infrastructure to protection efforts serves as an integrative solution to address the conflict at its roots.