Papua New Guinea: 150 dead after brutal tribal feud

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Members of the Kompiam tribe in Papua New Guinea: one of the countries with the most diverse indigenous tribes

Photo: TORSTEN BLACKWOOD/ AFP

Up to 150 people have been killed in clashes between warring tribes in Papua New Guinea in recent weeks. Police describe the violence in the northern province of Enga as a "bush fire that got out of control." According to local media, a special forces unit was sent to the region. It is authorized to use "lethal force".

Prime Minister James Marape described the riots as domestic terrorism. For the next parliamentary session in October, he announced a law that would provide for life imprisonment for those who instigate tribal violence.

Island with 750 different tribes

Papua New Guinea is one of the countries with the most diverse indigenous tribes. Around 750 different ethnic groups live on the Pacific island state. More than 800 languages are spoken that do not have a common root.

Conflicts between the indigenous peoples are not uncommon, especially in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. Tribes are so often engaged in political disagreements. However, the brutality of the recent clashes is new, according to experts. The Red Cross also blames access to modern firearms for the severity of the attacks.

"The tribal battles have changed," George Kakas, chief police officer of the Enga province, told ABC. Meanwhile, tribes would hire specially armed mercenaries to carry out battles for them.

The tribal feuds also have an impact on the rest of the country. Many struggles are accompanied by abductions, indigenous people are resettled in slums. Last year, armed groups also interfered in the election campaign. According to the UN, more than 15,000 people were abducted from the provinces of Enga, Hela and the Southern Highlands around and after the election.

The fact that a special unit with orders to shoot is now to ensure order in Enga is nevertheless worrying human rights groups. They fear that these powers may be too broad and that the security authorities will also attack innocent bystanders.

Mrc