MELBOURNE, Australia – A deadly tribal conflict in Papua New Guinea has left at least 26 men killed in a remote highland region in the South Pacific nation. According to the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary Acting Superintendent George Kakas, the violence erupted as a tribe, their allies, and mercenaries were en route to attack a neighboring tribe when they were ambushed on Sunday in Enga province.
Initially reported as 53 fatalities, the death toll was later revised down to 26, as security forces worked to collect bodies from the battlefield, roads, and riverside. The injured and escaped were still being counted by authorities in this tragic episode of tribal violence.
Papua New Guinea, a nation of 10 million people mainly dominated by subsistence farmers and boasting a diverse culture with over 800 languages, has been grappling with internal security challenges. The country’s strategic importance in the South Pacific has garnered the attention of global powers such as China, the United States, and Australia, all keen on solidifying their security ties with the region.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has expressed readiness to support Papua New Guinea in the wake of the violence, emphasizing the strong bilateral relationship between the two countries. The situation in Enga province has intensified since the 2022 elections, raising concerns over the stability of the region.
Warnings of an impending tribal conflict were issued, but the violence persisted, leaving Enga Gov. Peter Ipatas to remark on the tragic turn of events, calling it “a very, very sad occasion for us in the province and it’s a bad thing for the country.”
The availability of limited resources to address the ongoing tribal violence in Papua New Guinea has raised concerns among officials. Oliver Nobetau, a Papua New Guinea government lawyer, expressed fear of retaliation and ongoing revenge killings. The police and military are currently working to protect the public and government property in the region, as the community grapples with the tragic aftermath of the tribal conflict.