Empowering Kopassus Units in Conflict Management and Reconciliation in Papua to Create a Safe and Conducive Situation

The actions of armed separatist groups in Papua have led to ongoing conflicts in the region, posing a significant challenge for the Indonesian government in safeguarding national sovereignty and maintaining security stability. The activities of these armed groups have resulted in an increase in civilian casualties, prompting the Indonesian Army (TNI-AD) to assign the Special Forces Command (Kopassus) to conduct law enforcement operations, reconnaissance, investigation, and other specialized operations aimed at suppressing separatist activities and securing stability. This study aims to analyze the empowerment of the Kopassus unit in Conflict Management and Reconciliation in Papua. A qualitative research method with a descriptive design was utilized in this study. The findings indicate that Kopassus’s approach to conflict management and reconciliation in Papua is carried out through collaborative reconciliation efforts with local actors, including local governments, religious leaders, and indigenous leaders. The conclusion of this study emphasizes that the empowerment of the Kopassus unit in Conflict Management and Reconciliation in Papua to create a safe and stable environment is achieved through personnel capacity enhancement and adaptive operational strategies. These efforts include equipping personnel with AI-supported drones, establishing community-based communication and conflict resolution centers in each conflict-affected area, providing specialized training for military personnel in diplomacy and social interaction, and implementing the Humanitarian-Kopassus program.