Solomon Islands Opposition Leader Matthew Wale has expressed deep concern over the reported killing of civilians in West Papua , particularly in Dogiyai Regency, where Melanesian lives have once again been lost.
Mr Wale said reports of the killing including a minor are deeply troubling and raise serious questions about the protection of indigenous Melanesian communities.
“The people of the Solomon Islands share strong historical, cultural, and ancestral ties with the people of West Papua, and such incidents resonate across our region,” he said.
The Opposition Leader said the safety, dignity, and human rights of all Melanesians must be upheld at all times.
“Fellow Melanesians must stand in solidarity with the people of West Papua and I urge regional leaders especially Melanesian leaders to speak up and to ensure that justice is pursued and that lasting peace is prioritized,” Mr Wale added.
On March 31, 2026, severe violence erupted in Dogiyai Regency, Central Papua, resulting in the deaths of multiple indigenous Melanesian civilians and at least one police officer, marking a new crisis in the region. Reports indicate that security forces opened fire following the death of a police officer, causing several civilian casualties and leading residents to flee into surrounding areas.
Key details regarding the incident include:
- Casualties: Reports indicate at least five Papuan civilians, including a minor, were killed. Initial reports suggested a total of six deaths in the immediate aftermath, with multiple others injured.
- Incident Trigger: The violence began on March 31 in Moanemani village, where a Papuan police officer, Juventus Edowai, was found killed near a church.
- Police Reaction: In response to the officer’s death, security personnel reportedly fired on the public market and into houses in Ikebo village.
- Ongoing Instability: The situation has remained tense, with community members reporting a blockade of the area and heavy patrolling by police forces.
This incident follows a pattern of high-intensity conflict in the Dogiyai and wider Central Papua region, which has seen repeated violence throughout 2025 and early 2026 involving armed conflicts, territorial disputes, and allegations of rights violations by security forces.
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