Unrest engulfs Papua New Guinea, 15 dead as violent protests sweep across major cities

Papua New Guinea has faced a wave of lawlessness leading to 15 casualties as riots erupted in the country’s capital, Port Moresby, and the city of Lae.

The chaos ensued after a coalition of soldiers, police officers, and prison guards protested against the government, sparking destructive demonstrations.

On Thursday, Police Commissioner David Manning confirmed the death toll in the two largest cities, prompting Prime Minister James Marape to issue a stern response. Apologizing to the nation, Marape declared that such “lawlessness” would not be tolerated, emphasizing the importance of upholding the rule of law.

The violence, characterized by torched buildings and looted shops, peaked in Port Moresby, with remnants of tension persisting.

AFPTV footage captured scenes of rampant looting, arson, and destruction, with reports indicating targeted attacks on Chinese-owned businesses, prompting a complaint from Beijing to Papua New Guinea’s government.

While the immediate cause of the unrest was a protest within the parliament by security forces over pay discrepancies, the situation escalated beyond a swift government promise to rectify the payroll issue.

The incident sheds light on the fragile nature of life in Papua New Guinea, a country grappling with poverty and high crime rates.

National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop termed the unrest an “unprecedented level of strife,” with local media describing it as Port Moresby’s “darkest day.” Amid calls for calm, the Australian government, having recently inked a security deal with Papua New Guinea, urged restraint during these challenging times.

Despite the country’s resource wealth in gas, gold, and minerals, nearly 40 percent of its nine million citizens live below the poverty line.

The incidents highlight the socio-economic challenges faced by Papua New Guinea, reinforcing the urgency for stability and effective governance to address its citizens’ concerns.