Jayapura (ANTARA) – Traditional leaders hold the key to lasting peace and sustainable development in Papua, according to Herman Yoku, who believes that harmony in the region depends on strengthening dialogue between customary authorities and the government.Yoku, chief of the Wikaya Tribe in Keerom District, shared his views in a recent interview with ANTARA in Jayapura, describing traditional leaders as “kings of the earth” who embody moral authority and community trust.His remarks echo the spirit of “Papua Tanah Damai” (The Peaceful Land of Papua), a motto embraced since 2019 when then-Governor Lukas Enembe joined religious, community, police and military leaders in signing a peace declaration.The declaration, witnessed by then-Commander of the National Armed Forces (TNI) Hadi Tjahjanto and Tito Karnavian — then National Police Chief — symbolized Papua's aspiration for stability, unity and progress within the framework of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.While supporting that vision, Yoku stressed that genuine peace cannot ignore persistent challenges, including economic inequality and violence by armed groups that disrupt public security and development.He condemned acts of violence that have claimed innocent lives, warning that such incidents undermine Papua's hope of becoming a truly peaceful land.”We must strengthen communication between the government and traditional figures as key pillars of development,” he said.That call for dialogue has gained institutional backing. Authorities recognize that development policies in Papua — spanning six provinces — require the active participation of customary leaders whose influence remains deeply rooted in society.This understanding shaped a conference in Jayapura City on February 13, 2026, bringing together regional governments and tribal chiefs. The forum underscored the strategic role of traditional authorities in conflict resolution and policymaking.Among the participants were ondoafis, hereditary leaders regarded as supreme patriarchs with authority over social order, security and customary land across several villages. Tribal chiefs, chosen through lineage, seniority or local consensus, likewise hold decisive influence over social stability and communal affairs.The government views the inclusion of ondoafis and tribal chiefs in decision-making as essential to bridging divides — both among customary communities and in areas affected by separatist violence — thereby reinforcing conditions for durable peace.Communication as foundationThe Papua provincial government acknowledges that development in the region is inseparable from customary values and social cohesion. Without the trust of traditional leaders, progress risks stagnation.Assistant I at the Papua Regional Secretariat, Yohanes Walilo, affirmed that the provincial administration remains committed to inclusive and equitable development, ensuring that growth reaches villages, districts and urban centers alike.Despite its natural wealth and cultural richness, Papua continues to face challenges in education, health, infrastructure, welfare and public security. Aligning policies with grassroots aspirations — as conveyed by traditional leaders — is seen as crucial to overcoming these obstacles.Walilo noted that the Jayapura conference served not merely as a ceremonial gathering but as a platform for substantive dialogue on development priorities.Human development and shared futureThe conference also highlighted a shared commitment among traditional leaders to prioritize human development — particularly education and child welfare — as foundations for long-term peace.In this context, the central government has introduced initiatives aimed at strengthening human capital, including special autonomy funds and national programs such as Sekolah Rakyat (People's School) and Free Nutritious Meals (MBG), both initiated by President Prabowo Subianto.The Sekolah Rakyat program seeks to expand access to quality education for children from underprivileged families, including in Papua, while the MBG program aims to improve children's nutrition nationwide. As of December 2025, around 180 MBG kitchens were operating across six Papuan provinces, with plans to expand to 2,500 by Indonesia's 81st anniversary.Yanto Eluay, a traditional leader from Jayapura District, expressed support for the nutrition program, saying it could help boost school enrollment and attendance. He emphasized that no child should attend school on an empty stomach.He also urged the government to continue engaging customary leaders as partners in ensuring that development initiatives remain aligned with the needs and aspirations of the Papuan people.History, he noted, has demonstrated the influence of traditional figures, including during the 1969 Act of Free Choice, when representatives — among them customary leaders — voted in favor of Indonesia asserting sovereignty over Papua.That legacy reinforces the view that peace and progress in Papua are most sustainable when built upon cooperation between the state and its traditional authorities.