West Papua (Andromeda)

West Papua, officially the Republic of West Papua (Indonesian: Republik Papua Barat) is a country located in Southeast Asia and Oceania that just recently gained independance from Indonesia in 2010, following an agreement signed between the Indonesian and Philippine governments in which the Philippines acquired West Papua and granted it its independance. Currently West Papua, along with East Timor was one of Southeast Asia's poorest countries. Aid from the Philippines, Malaysia and United States allowed living conditions to improve in West Papua. West Papua shares borders with Indonesia to the east and west.

History
Melanesians make up the predominant ethnic family in West Papua. Melanesians are indigenous to the region and are not related to Austronesian peoples. Melanesian and Papuan people are descendants of the ancient settlers of Melanesia who's origins are quite unknown. Most Melanesians still retain their ancient genotypes. Around 4,000 years ago the indigenous Melanesians began contact with Austronesian speaking people. In 1963, Indonesia occupied West Papua. This unfortunately created periods of genocide from Indoensian soldiers. A similar event took place in East Timor. In 1975, East Timor declared independance from Indonesia. West Papuans have also tried gaining independance from Indonesia but failed to due to Indonesia's powerful army who kept pounding the islands. The torturing of West Papuans upset other countries in Southeast Asia. Papuans have experienced ethnic discrimination from Indonesian occupation. The discussion was brought in an ASEAN summit in Manila, Philippines. President Marcos has tried to acquire West Papua from Indonesia but failed to. The agreement remained undecided with the members of ASEAN on what to do with West Papua. In the 2010 ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, it was decided that Indonesia could no longer keep West Papua. This meeting was known as the "Summit that Changed Southeast Asia". Not only did Indonesia lose West Papua, but Malaysia also lost Sabah to the Philippines. But parts of northern Kalimantan became part of Malaysia to make up for Malaysia's loss of territory. Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines signed the Treaty of New Guinea. This treaty required that the countries would not engage in military confrontation over the decision to give up West Papua. West Papua was given to Malaysia who handed the territory over to the Philippines. On October 2, 2010 West Papua officially gained independance as an independant country.

Modern-Day Politics and Administrations
West Papua is currently a democratic republic and is divided into ten provinces. The current president of West Papua is Abraham Octavarius Atururi, the governer when West Papua was an Indonesian province. Manokwari is the political capit of West Papua.

Foreign Aid and Relations
The other countries in Southeast Asia aided West Papua. The Treaty of New Guinea also required Indonesia to aid West Papua. The general secretary of ASEAN, Surin Pitsuwan said, "The Indonesian army has caused much bloodshed and genocide to the Papuans. They will pay it back and give aid to West Papua." Pitsuwan also said that if Indonesian soldiers attempt to make violent confrontations with Papuans, then the other militaries such as the Malaysian and Philippine armies with intervene. Pitsuwan said, "The Rules of Engagement still apply here as they would anywhere. I see no reason of why Indonesia should be using military force, the Papuans didn't commit terrorism or anything." Malaysia and Philippines also pays for some of West Papua's living conditions. Although West Papua is an independant country, it is a protectorate of the United States, Malaysia and the Philippines. Soldiers from these countries were to sent guard eastern West Papua to watch Indonesia's army on the other side. Pitsuwan said, "We are not trying to create another Korean War or DMZ here. It is just that, Indonesia's army was caused unnecessarry genocide against the Papuans." Indonesian president Susilo Bambang visits West Papua on its indpenedance day and gives apologies to atrocities caused by Indonesian soldiers. Bambang said, "I am very sorry the soldiers put the Papuans through this. I did not order these troops to attack - but since I am the president of Indonesia now, I feel a little incomplete without coming here to provide apologies. I will do my best to make sure that Indonesia gives West Papua the necessities it needs to survive."

Ethnic Groups and Religions
West Papua is home to thousands of languages and dialects. Many of these are not Austronesian languages as one would expect to find. West Papua is located in the Melanesian region of Oceania. Most of the ethnolinguistic groups in West Papua are Melanesians. The majority religion is Protestantism. Others practice Islam, Hindusim and Buddhism.