On Thursday, the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea declared a state of emergency, leading to the suspension of government and police officials. This action was taken in response to a riot that resulted in 16 casualties in the Pacific island nation. The unrest stemmed from a police and public sector protest over a pay cut, which authorities attributed to an administrative error. Television footage depicted thousands of individuals in the streets of the capital, Port Moresby, with some carrying apparent looted items amid billowing black smoke.
The rioting caused nine fatalities in Port Moresby and seven in Lae, a city in the northern part of the country known for gold and copper mining, as reported by the Australian state broadcaster ABC, citing police sources. Prime Minister James Marape, in a press conference, announced the suspension of the Chief of Police and top officials in the finance and treasury departments pending a government review of the riot’s causes. Marape highlighted evidence of organized rioting and emphasized the review’s aim to safeguard democracy and the rule of law.
The Prime Minister mentioned that about 1,000 military personnel were on standby to prevent further unrest, acknowledging the volatile situation. While violence in the capital subsided on Thursday, additional police were flown in to maintain order, with reports of ongoing violence in various parts of the country. Chinese citizens were reported to have suffered minor injuries, and stores owned by Chinese nationals were targets of vandalism and looting.
Surge in violent crimesÂ
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese assured that Australia’s high commission was monitoring the situation, but no requests for assistance had been received from Papua New Guinea. He urged calm and emphasized the strong relationship between the two nations. Papua New Guinea has faced a surge in violent crime over the past year, prompting concerns about security. The recent police strike, triggered by a perceived reduction in pay, raised issues about law enforcement’s ability to maintain control.
The government attempted to clarify on social media that no new tax had been imposed on the police, attributing the pay shortfall to an administrative error. Despite these efforts, the city faced a loss of control in the absence of police, leading to the deployment of additional officers from regional areas.Â
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Governor Powes Parkop of the capital expressed concern about the unprecedented level of strife, acknowledging the loss of lives. Prime Minister Marape, while acknowledging the stress and duress in Port Moresby, stated that the situation was gradually calming down. Papua New Guinea, located about 100 miles from the northern tip of Australia, has witnessed rising violent crime amid economic challenges, high unemployment, and increased living costs. Marape aims to enhance security to attract foreign investment, particularly in the nation’s growing gold and copper sector. The country also grapples with unrest and tribal violence in remote regions, with plans to expand police numbers from 6,000 to 26,000 in the future.