What is being said is the most significant tribal clashes in recent times, Papua New Guinea’s northern highlands experienced a tragic event that has resulted in a minimum of 64 casualties, as reported by foreign media citing local sources. The violence erupted early morning on Sunday in the Wapenamanda District of Enga Province, which involved the Ambulin and Sikin tribes along with their respective allies. The clashes, characterized by the use of high-powered firearms such as AK47 and M4 rifles, left a somber toll of 64 bodies scattered across the roadside, grasslands, and hills of Wapenamanda by Monday morning, according to Al Jazeera citing the Post-Courier newspaper.
The aftermath has left communities devastated and mentally stressed, with Kakas struggling to comprehend the magnitude of the tragedy. In the capital, Port Moresby, opponents of Prime Minister James Mara’s government urgently called for action, including the swift deployment of additional troops to the affected area. They have further instructed the government to further investigate, about what is the likely source of ammunition and firearms that were used in the violence.
Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed over the distressing developments, acknowledging the seriousness of the situation. “That is very disturbing news that has come out of Papua New Guinea,” he remarked in a radio interview on Monday.
