Benny Wenda serves Interim President of the ULMWP Provisional Government. The organisation was founded in December 2014, when a historic gathering of West Papuan leaders saw different factions of the independence movement unite to form a new body – the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP).

The key groups who united include the Federal Republic of West Papua (NRFPB), National Coalition for Liberation (WPNCL) and West Papua National Parliament (PNWP). An Executive Committee consisting of six elected members from the various groups co-ordinates the ULMWP activities, supported by the Council Committee consisted of three elected members. The Council Committee helps to preside over the structure of the ULMWP.

Following a triennial summit in 2017, the ULMWP restructured and elected Benny Wenda as Chairman and Jacob Rumbiak as Spokesperson. In his inaugural speech, Benny Wenda stated, “Under our new leadership structure, we commit to a strong and unified future because we know this is what is needed for the liberation of our people. My prayer is that all of those who want to see the liberation of the nation of West Papua will support us in their prayers”.

In December 2020, the ULMWP began forming a new ‘Provisional Government’ in West Papua. The new government-in-waiting aims to mobilise the people of West Papua to achieve a referendum on independence, after which it will take control of the territory and organise democratic elections. Indonesian repression currently renders elections impossible. The state-in-waiting will be represented internationally by Benny Wenda, Interim President.

Read the Saralana Declaration on West Papua unity, signed in December 2014 at the founding of the United Liberation for West Papua (ULMWP).