“Illegal Sales of Government-Issued Weapons to Papua Rebels Surge in 2022, Warns Indonesian Military”

Government officials in Indonesia have warned of a surge in illegal sales of government-issued weapons and ammunition by rogue soldiers to separatist rebels in the Papua region. Military officials reported 27 cases of such illicit sales by army personnel in 2022, compared with 10 in 2021, across six Papua provinces. The Indonesian military has pledged to severely punish any personnel involved in such transactions, including buying and selling illegal weapons. Indonesia has long been known for corruption throughout the government and public sector. Rebels have been acquiring firearms by purchasing them from soldiers or seizing them from the Indonesia army and police. Researchers have also noted that illegal arms trading involves many parties, including security forces and ordinary people, and is related to the principle of supply and demand. House member Yan Mandenas has called for strict penalties against those who sell weapons and for the military to prepare a strategy to prevent future sales.