Deadly Gunbattle Between Warring Tribes Leaves 26 Dead in Papua New Guinea
A violent gunbattle between warring tribes in Papua New Guinea has resulted in the deaths of at least 26 combatants and an unconfirmed number of bystanders, according to local police. The clash occurred in Enga province, located in the remote highlands of the South Pacific nation. The incident unfolded when a tribe, along with their allies and mercenaries, were en route to attack a neighboring tribe but were unexpectedly ambushed.
The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary Acting Superintendent, George Kakas, revealed that bodies were collected from various locations, including the battlefield, roads, and the riverside. These bodies were then loaded onto police trucks and transported to the hospital. Authorities are still in the process of counting those who were injured or managed to escape into the bushes.
Initially, Kakas reported that 53 combatants had died, but the security forces later revised the death toll down to 26. The police reinforcements were dispatched to the scene of the battle in an attempt to regain control and establish a significant presence in the conflict area.
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape expressed his deep concern over the violence in Enga and called for an end to the hostilities. He urged the warring tribes to lay down their weapons and emphasized that resorting to violence only exacerbates existing problems rather than resolving them. Marape highlighted that there are alternative ways to address community disputes without resorting to bloodshed.
Papua New Guinea, a diverse nation with a population of 10 million predominantly subsistence farmers who speak 800 languages, has been grappling with internal security challenges. The country’s strategic importance has attracted the attention of global powers such as China, the United States, and Australia, who are seeking closer security ties with Papua New Guinea.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his government’s readiness to assist Papua New Guinea, emphasizing the strong bond between the two neighboring countries. Australia is already providing substantial support to Papua New Guinea and is actively involved in training the country’s police officers.
The Enga region has been plagued by tribal violence, which has intensified since the 2022 elections that maintained Prime Minister James Marape’s administration. Elections in Papua New Guinea have historically triggered violence due to allegations of cheating and process anomalies. Enga Governor Peter Ipatas revealed that there were prior warnings of an impending tribal conflict, and security forces were alerted to take appropriate action.
Ipatas described the recent violence as a tragic event for the province and a detrimental occurrence for the entire country. Tribal fighting has claimed numerous lives in the Enga region over the past year. The use of high-powered firearms in the recent clashes has made it risky for police to enter the battlefields, as reported by Port Moresby’s Post-Courier newspaper.
Oliver Nobetau, a Papua New Guinea government lawyer temporarily assigned to the Sydney-based international policy think tank Lowy Institute, expressed concerns about potential retaliation and further loss of life. Revenge killings are common in such situations, and Nobetau stated that tribal violence is prevalent but rarely reaches this scale. He acknowledged the limited resources available to the police to handle such massive-scale violence.
The Papua New Guinea government is committed to deploying police forces wherever possible to address security issues arising from tribal violence. However, with limited resources, it remains a challenging task. The government aims to curb these security concerns and restore peace and stability to the affected regions.
The recent gunbattle between warring tribes in Papua New Guinea serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by the nation in maintaining internal security. As efforts continue to address these issues, it is crucial for all parties involved to seek peaceful resolutions and prioritize dialogue over violence. Only through collective efforts can Papua New Guinea overcome these obstacles and ensure the well-being of its people.