PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea: Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister, James Marape, has pledged a cabinet reshuffle as the nation contends with the repercussions of widespread looting and rioting that occurred last week.
The unrest, triggered by a purported payroll system glitch leading to salary cuts for government employees, prompted a two-week state of emergency in the capital, Port Moresby, and the industrial center Lae.
Acknowledging the significant challenges facing the economy and key state agencies, Prime Minister Marape announced the imminent cabinet reshuffle in response to the aftermath of the January 10 unrest. The turmoil resulted in substantial economic damage, with businesses grappling with the costs of looting and arson.
Port Moresby’s Governor, Powes Parkop, estimated that major local retailing groups, including Brian Bell and the Stop & Shop supermarket chain, incurred losses of at least 600 million kina ($160 million) due to looting and arson. The full extent of the economic impact is expected to grow as businesses submit additional reports on their losses.
Papua New Guinea, endowed with significant mineral and other resources, faces persistent challenges in economic development due to corruption, inadequate infrastructure, tribal violence, and gender inequality. The recent unrest further underscores these challenges and their impact on the nation’s stability.
The country’s law enforcement faces difficulties, with a police-to-population ratio of about 1 officer for every 1,800 people, well below the United Nations’ recommended level for ensuring law and order. Social inequality, tribal violence, and a lack of institutional capacity contribute to the nation’s instability.
Gordon Peake, a senior adviser to the United States Institute of Peace, emphasized the need for nations, including the U.S., to address the root causes of Papua New Guinea’s instability. He noted that the recent events revealed the deficiencies in government institutions and their inability to meet public needs, raising concerns about deeper violence and instability.
The unrest serves as a wake-up call for international partners to engage with the complexities of Papua New Guinea’s socio-economic and political landscape. Marape’s decision to suspend senior civil servants, including the head of police, reflects a commitment to investigate the organized elements behind the violence.
As Papua New Guinea navigates the aftermath of the unrest, the government faces the dual challenges of economic recovery and addressing systemic issues that contribute to social instability.
