Independent Minahasa Movement

The Independent Minahasa Movement (Gerakan Minahasa Merdeka), or GMM, is a political movement in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, advocating for the independence of the Minahasa region. The movement, centered in Manado, calls for a referendum on independence, highlighting issues of political discrimination, economic inequality, and restrictions on freedom of religion. The GMM gained prominence following the blasphemy conviction of Jakarta's Christian governor, which intensified concerns over the influence of hardline Islamist groups in Indonesia and the impact on North Sulawesi's Christian-majority population. The movement's leader, Dolfie Maringka, has been a vocal advocate for Minahasa's right to self-governance and has expressed a readiness to face imprisonment for the cause.