The Cost of Conflict: How Violence and Fights are Affecting Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea (PNG) is a country of rich natural resources, diverse cultures, and stunning landscapes. However, it is also a country plagued by violence and conflict, both between and within tribal groups. In recent months, the situation has worsened, with reports of dozens of deaths, hundreds of injuries, and thousands of displacements due to escalating tribal fights and election-related violence. The impact of this violence on the lives of the people, especially schools, businesses, and the safety of innocent people, is devastating.

The Causes and Consequences of Violence

Tribal fighting is not a new phenomenon in PNG, where hundreds of different tribal groups live in the Highlands region, separated by rugged terrain and family ties. Access to land, crops, and livestock are often vital for the survival of the smaller tribes, and disputes over these resources can trigger violent clashes. However, in recent years, the nature and scale of tribal fighting have changed, as more tribes have become involved, and more powerful weapons, such as guns and explosives, have been used. Some experts have attributed this change to a weakening of traditional authorities, a lack of effective law enforcement, and a general sense of hopelessness and frustration among the youth.

Election-related violence is another source of conflict in PNG, where elections are often marred by allegations of fraud, corruption, and intimidation. In 2022, PNG held its national elections, which resulted in the resignation of former Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and the appointment of James Marape as the new leader. However, the elections also sparked violence across the Highlands region, where rival candidates and their supporters clashed over the results, and security forces were deployed to restore order. According to the United Nations, the violence in 2022 caused an estimated 3,000 people in parts of Enga province alone to flee their homes, and damaged schools and medical facilities, while businesses and markets were temporarily closed.

The human cost of violence in PNG is immense, as innocent people, especially women and children, are often caught in the crossfire or targeted for revenge. According to Human Rights Watch, PNG remains one of the most dangerous places to be a woman or girl, where more than two-thirds of women are victims of domestic violence, and sorcery-related violence is rampant. In 2020, several cases of domestic violence sparked outrage in PNG, such as the brutal beating of boxer Debbie Kaoref by her partner, and the torture and killing of 19-year-old Jenelyn Kennedy by her partner. In November 2020, in East Sepik province, five people were killed after being accused of sorcery, including a woman, a teenage student, and a 13-year-old boy. Children are also vulnerable to disease, malnutrition, and lack of education, as the violence disrupts their access to health care and schooling.

The Response and the Way Forward

The PNG government and its partners have taken some steps to address the violence and its impact on the people. Prime Minister Marape has condemned the violence as “domestic terrorism” and promised to crack down on corruption and reform the justice system. The police and the military have been instructed to use all means necessary to detain gunmen and restore peace. The UN and other humanitarian agencies have provided assistance to the affected communities, such as food, water, shelter, and health care. However, these efforts are not enough to solve the root causes of the violence, and more needs to be done to prevent further bloodshed and suffering.

Some of the possible solutions include strengthening the rule of law and the accountability of the security forces, promoting dialogue and reconciliation among the tribal groups, addressing the grievances and aspirations of the youth, empowering women and girls and protecting them from violence, improving the quality and accessibility of public services, and ensuring fair and transparent elections. These solutions require the commitment and cooperation of all stakeholders, including the government, the civil society, the traditional leaders, the religious leaders, the media, and the international community. Only by working together can PNG achieve lasting peace and prosperity for its people.