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Many Papuans have resisted Indonesian rule since 1963. The OPM (Organisasi Papua Merdeka - the Free Papua Movement) was founded near Manokwari in July 1964 to achieve independence. The armed wing of the OPM is the National Liberation Army' (TPN)

The OPM has maintained the hope for independence for nearly 40 years and since 1999 it has been joined by a number of open political groupings which also seek self-determination. They include the Papuan Presidium Council (DPD), FORERI (Forum for Reconciliation of Irian Jaya Society) and student groups such as Demmak. All of these groups seek a re-examination of the 'Act of Free Choice', withdrawal of the Indonesian military and respect for Papuan culture.

The OPM has had to deal with:
only having a few modern weapons (possibly only a few hundred in total).
very rough terrain which makes it difficult to develop a coordinated policy and command structure.
difficulties in getting international attention to their cause - during the 1970's leading figures such as Jacob Prai and Seth Rumkorem left West Papua to publicize their cause internationally. They had hoped to be based in the South Pacific but were in fact detained in PNG and sent into exile in Sweden and Greece respectively.
harsh Indonesian retaliation against civilian supporters

During the 1960's the OPM protested to UN staff and foreign journalists and also attacked Indonesian troops. The largest military action was in 1967 when they took over the town of Manokwari for several days. In 1977 the OPM managed to cut the pipe line carrying mineral slurry from the Freeport mine to the port of Amamapare.

Other actions of the OPM have included attacks on isolated Indonesian military outposts, flag raisings by their supporters in towns and cities and hostage taking of Indonesian logging workers. Most of these have been settled by church negotiators but some hostages have died from natural causes or have been killed in rescue attempts. Those that involved Europeans attracted some short-term attention to West Papua.

The OPM sought greater internal unity at a 1985 meeting of factions in Vanuatu and again, in 1992, when a large meeting in West Papua, elected overall commanders. Prominent OPM figures include Mathias Wenda, Bernard Mawen, John Somer and Kelly Kwalik.

The more open political atmosphere in 1998 permitted the founding of a truly national body, FORERI, involving women's groups, students, religious and tribal leaders. In 1999 it sent a team of 100 Papuan representatives to to put the case for independence to President Habibie. It also able to organize the Papuan Congress in May 2000 which lead to the formation of the Papuan Presidium Council (DPD) headed by Theys Eluay and Tom Beanal. The DPD unsuccessfully sought substantial discussions with Indonesia. After President Sukarnoputri took office in 2000, the leadership of the Presidium was disrupted by the killing of Theys Eluay and the trial for rebellion of Presidium leaders (although convicted they were not imprisoned).

Despite these setbacks, Papuans still seek peaceful political solutions. During 2002, the concept of a Zone of Peace was widely supported by Papuan churches, students, NGOs and the OPM. This would involve the withdrawal of non-Papuan army personnel and the Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) and the cessation of armed actions by all parties. Official Indonesian responses were lukewarm at best