Violence and riots have rocked Papua New Guinea in recent days, killing fifteen people and causing significant material damage. These demonstrations, which began peacefully as a protest against salary cuts for civil servants, quickly degenerated into acts of violence and looting. Prime Minister James Marape pledged to confront this “anarchy” and apologized to the country for the tragic events.
The protests began in the capital, Port Moresby, where a group of soldiers, police officers and prison guards expressed their dissatisfaction with the pay cuts. Unfortunately, the situation quickly escalated, with arson, looting of stores and violent clashes. The violence then spread to the town of Lae, more than 300 kilometers to the north, where further acts of vandalism were committed.
Images and videos from the riots show angry crowds attacking buildings and vehicles, setting fire to everything in their path. Looters smashed store windows, stealing merchandise and causing chaos in the streets. Several Chinese-owned businesses were specifically targeted, sparking outrage in Beijing, which filed a complaint with the Papua New Guinean government.
The government’s response was swift, with Prime Minister Marape condemning the violence and promising to take steps to end it. Security forces were deployed to restore order and managed to regain control of the situation. Despite this, the consequences of these riots are devastating, both on a human and material level.
This outbreak of violence highlights the deep socio-economic problems facing Papua New Guinea. Despite its vast natural resources, the country faces rampant poverty and a high crime rate. Nearly 40% of the population lives below the poverty line, which fuels the discontent and frustrations of the population.
It is essential that measures are taken to resolve these structural problems that fuel social tensions. The government must commit to improving the living conditions of its population by investing in economic and social development programs. The international community must also support by providing humanitarian assistance and helping to rebuild damaged infrastructure.
The stability of Papua New Guinea is of paramount importance, not only for the well-being of its own people, but also for the region as a whole. It is essential to work together to promote peace, justice and sustainable development, to prevent such violence from happening again in the future.