A RELIGIOUS leader has called on Indonesian President Joko Widodo to hold a dialogue with Papuan community groups to find a solution to deadly tensions in the province, after he is sworn-in for a second term in office on Sunday.
The priest, Esmon Welilo, who is chairman of the Interreligious Harmony Forum, said the Papuan people are eager to hold a dialogue with the president, who is also known as Jokowi.
"We do hope that the dialogue can be held during his second leadership term," he said, adding that Jokowi is the first Indonesian president to make 12 working visits to the Papua province.
Welilo said the central government must seek comprehensive solutions to the problems in Papua; and that he believes the majority of Papuans still support Jokowi.
The call for a dialogue was first made by West Papua governor, Dominggus Mandacan, on Sept 12.
Mandacan said he wants the president to meet West Papua's local leaders of various ethnic groups to listen to and comprehend their aspirations following a racist incident that infuriated native Papuans.
A spate of violent protests has rocked parts of Papua over the last two months, leading to the deaths of scores of civilians and military personnel.
The worst incident occurred in Wamena, Jayawijaya, which killed 33 people.
The demonstrations were triggered by alleged racist behaviour against ethnic Papuan students in Surabaya, Java.