Violence has escalated in Papua New Guinea (PNG), where tribal conflicts and electorally-motivated violence continues to undermine democratic processes. Dozens of people have been killed in election-related attacks, with thousands being displaced due to conflict. The violence, provoked by the ongoing election in PNG, has been concentrated in the country’s Highlands region, in the Enga Province. 18 people have been massacred by warring tribes in Porgera in the region due to reignited existing tribal tensions.

Following the massacre, the United Nations released a statement condemning the violence, with official sources confirming deaths, assaults, rape, and the destruction of property and infrastructure. Mr. Dirk Wagener, acting UN Resident Coordinator, fervently condemned the violence, stating that the current events in PNG show utter disregard for human rights. “I am deeply concerned over allegations of the brutal killing of dozens of civilians, reports of heinous sexual violence against women, including at least eight girls, and estimates of several thousand people, mostly women and children, displaced,” Wagener stated. The statement went on to confirm the destruction of schools and medical facilities, with an estimated 3,000 people forced to flee their homes in Enga Province alone. The statement also described disruptions in the delivery of essential goods and services to these communities due to roads being deliberately cut off. The Governor of Enga, Sir Peter Ipatas, has called for a commission of inquiry into the electoral crimes, the violence in the region and the response by authorities. “The ingredients for a failed state are already here in this country. We must change the course of this nation,” he stated.

Unfortunately, violence during elections in PNG is not uncommon, in fact it has become anticipated as inevitable. During the previous election, in 2017, more than 200 were killed in election-related violence. Peter Aitsi from Transparency International explains that violence is “very much intertwined and very much connected” with electoral issues in PNG. “Members of the public, when they lose confidence in the process, when there is suspicion cast in terms of the conduct of election officials, this will generate anger within the community, and it results in violence,” he said. Despite the ongoing violence that threatens elections, many people in PNG are committed to voting, often lining up for hours to express their democratic rights. However, the violence significantly prohibits citizens from accessing voting centres. “We have been deprived of our democratic rights, even though we call ourselves a democratic nation,” local leader Emmanuel Kiangu said.

These events in PNG further undermine the democratic rights of marginalised groups and communities, particularly women who face the threat of sexual assault whilst trying to access voting facilities. The violence in PNG has become so severe that the election may be declared a failure in some provinces, amplified by allegations of ballot box fixing and vote-buying, with 15 candidates being investigated for inciting election violence in Enga Province. This widespread violence not only immediately impacts the peace and security of the effected regions, but creates long-lasting implications regarding the democratic freedoms of the people of PNG. Despite polling being cancelled in some areas without guarantee of being rescheduled, the election will go ahead, with several candidates promising to reform the electoral process in PNG, as well as providing improved funding.

The unmitigated violence occurring in PNG has had devastating impacts on lives, communities and infrastructure, however will continue to threaten the ability of citizens to safely and peacefully practice their democratic rights.