PNG 'politicians and pastors' supply weapons to fuel deadly tribal violence, says Enga leader

National politicians and pastoralists are fueling tribal fighting in Papua New Guinea by supplying weapons and ammunition, Enga provincial administrator Sandis Tsaka has said.

Tsaka's brother was killed a fortnight ago when a warring tribe passed through his clan.

“[My brother] “He was at home with his wife and children and these people were trying to go to another village, and because he passed them, they just opened fire,” he said.

Enga has witnessed constant tribal violence since the 2022 national elections in Kompiam-Ambum district. In May last year, in addition to deaths due to tribal conflicts, homes, churches and businesses were burned to the ground.

In February, dozens of people were killed in a shooting.

Subsequently, PNG lawmakers discussed the issue of gun violence in Parliament, with both sides of the House agreeing that the problem was serious.

“National politicians are involved; businessmen are involved; educated people, lawyers, accountants, pastors, wealthy people, people who should be ambassadors of peace and change,” Tsaka said .

Military style weapons are used in combat.

Tsaka said an M16 or AR-15 rifle costs a minimum of K$30,000 (US$7,710), while a cartridge costs around $100K (US$25).

“An ordinary person can’t afford it,” he said.

“These conflicts and wars are financed by wealthy people who have the necessary resources.

“We need to consider changing the law and policy to pursue those who fund and profit from this conflict, instead of just trying to arrest or hold responsible the little people in the village with a gun who causes death and destruction .

“Until we tackle these big wigs, the unfortunate situation we have in the province will continue to be what it is.”

Tsaka said that righting wrongs, through means such as tribal fighting, “is ingrained in our DNA.”

After Tsaka's brother died, he asked his clan not to retaliate and told his village to let the rule of law take its course.

He said the cultural expectation of retaliation was there, but his clan respected him as a leader.

He hopes that others in positions of authority will use his brother's death as motivation for peace.

“If other leaders did the same thing in their villages, we wouldn't have this violence; we wouldn't have all this killing and destruction.

“We must understand that law and order and peace are a necessary precondition for development.

“If we don't have peace, we can't allow schoolchildren to go to school; you can't have hospitals; you can't have roads; you can't have free movement people, goods and services.”

Tsaka said education is needed to change perceptions about tribal fighting.