Aug 5, 2022. Violence in Enga, Hela and Southern Highlands Provinces – The violent episodes that broke out in the provinces of Enga, Hela and Southern Highlands last May have since escalated, resulting in a humanitarian situation. According to unofficial estimates, over 300 people died, 25,700 students are unable to attend school, and 557,800 people have no or limited access to basic health services due to damaged facilities, lack of staff and disrupted supply chains.
The Government positioned 120 troops in Wabag on 27 July for further deployment to Porgera, Laiagam, and Kompiam to secure State assets and support the police. (reliefweb)
Outbreaks of violence in the nation’s capital Port Moresby and other parts of the country have disrupted voting and counting, leading to the PNG Governor General granting a two-week extension to 12 August for the return of writs. This has been pared back to 5 August.
There were an estimated 200 deaths during the last election in 2017. The violence so far has resulted in fewer deaths, but shocking scenes and accounts of brutal attacks have been circulated widely through the media, dismaying Papua New Guineans who had been hoping those days were behind them. Already overstretched local authorities have struggled to respond to incidents, and in some cases, perpetrators have exploited security vacuums created by police deployments to hotspots. (lowyinstitute)
PNG Prime Minister’s Post to become vacant after 4Pm today : Kwa – There will be no Prime Minister and National Executive Council for Papua New Guinea after today- Friday, 5th of August, 2022. PNG Justice Secretary Dr Erick Kwa told NBC’s Election Talk Show “Make It Count” last night, that the country should know by next Tuesday, who the next Prime Minister will be. (pngfacts)
