International
30 Killed In Tribal Fighting Near Papua New Guinea Mine
The unrest began in August when “illegal miners” severely injured a landowner in the Porgera Valley, a region rich in gold deposits.
Attempts at peace talks failed, leading to a surge in tribal fighting. According to police commander Joseph Tondop, more than 300 shots were fired on Sunday alone.
The clashes have claimed the lives of 30 men from opposing clans and forced hundreds of women and children to flee their homes. Numerous houses were also set ablaze in the conflict.
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In a separate incident, two officials were killed while waiting for transportation after work, Tondop added.
Police Commissioner David Manning has warned that “lethal force” will be employed to restore peace in the remote highlands.
“Put simply, this means if you raise a weapon in a public place or to threaten another person, you will be shot,” Manning said in a statement at the weekend.
“This deteriorating situation has been caused by illegal miners and illegal settlers who are victimising traditional landowners and using violence to terrorise local communities.”
Police reported that illegal miners from the Sakar clan had been occupying land owned by their Piande rivals, escalating tensions in the area.
In response, authorities have imposed a ban on alcohol sales and instituted an overnight curfew, said Police Commissioner David Manning, who pledged to remove the artisanal miners from the valley.
While tribal conflicts are common in Papua New Guinea’s highlands, the increasing availability of automatic weapons has made these clashes far more lethal.
The latest outbreak of violence has been exacerbated by the presence of over “100 high-powered weapons in the wrong hands,” according to police.
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Security forces have been deployed along the highway leading to the Porgera mine, using loudspeakers to call for peace.
Once a major contributor to Papua New Guinea’s economy, the Porgera gold mine accounted for about 10 percent of the nation’s annual export revenue. However, ongoing tribal violence and a prolonged government takeover have significantly hindered production in recent years.
In 2022, gunfights between rival clans near the mine resulted in at least 17 deaths. Earlier this year, 26 people, including 16 children, were killed when three villages in East Sepik province were attacked.
During a visit earlier this month, Pope Francis called on Papua New Guinea to “stop the spiral” of violence.
“It is my particular hope that tribal violence will come to an end,” he said.
“It causes many victims, prevents people from living in peace and hinders development.”
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