Papua New Guinea: Tribal Violence Kills at Least 26

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Facts

• As many as 26 people were killed during an ambush in the Enga province in the northern highlands of Papua New Guinea on Sunday.¹
• Authorities had initially announced that at least 64 people had died from the fighting, then corrected the figure, but the incident is still believed to be the worst massacre in the country's recent history. The deceased bodies were reportedly seen being loaded onto a truck.²
• Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary Acting Superintendent George Kakas added that the deceased were en route to attack a neighboring tribe when they were ambushed near Wabag.³
• The death toll could increase as authorities say they're still retrieving the bodies. Police suspect that the injured, who ran away from the clashes, may have died from their injuries.⁴
• At least 17 tribes have been involved in the escalating tribal conflict, pushing the provincial authorities to impose a months-long lockdown last year. Sunday's ambush is allegedly connected with the same tribes who were responsible for clashes that killed over 60 in 2023.⁵
• Since the 2022 elections, in which Prime Minister James Marape was re-elected, tribal violence in the Enga province has increased, with local populations claiming that the vote was rigged in Marape's favor.⁶

Sources: ¹Guardian, ²BBC News, ³Nikkei Asia, ⁴Skynews, ⁵RNZ and ⁶NPR Online News.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by Guardian. As its highlands have long struggled with violence, internal security, more broadly, remains a key concern for PNG. However, the failure of the state to prevent the influx of illegal high-powered firearms and ammunition into the region has exacerbated the conflict and made clashes deadlier. The latest ambush has renewed attention to Prime Minister Marape's incompetence in providing grassroots solutions. If he can't prevent massacres of unprecedented intensity, Marape should step down.
• Narrative B, as provided by ABC. Tribal violence isn't uncommon in PNG, however, police couldn't foresee it and had limited resources to deal with Sunday's massive ambush. In their quest for revenge killing and retribution, these tribes are breaking the law and creating instability. Marape's government is striving to curb the security issues and coordinating with community leaders to defuse tensions. Until the warring factions lay down their weapons, these long-held disputes will remain unresolved.