SUMMARY
The archipelagic state of Papua New Guinea (PNG) has been inhabited for thousands of years by hundreds of diverse, once-isolated regional societies. It gained independence from Australian-administered UN trusteeship in 1975, but kept strong ties with its southern neighbor, Australia. It also remained a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The country experienced an armed conflict against the BRA (Bougainville Revolutionary Army) in the 1990s and has experienced instances of communal violence between different Papua New Guinean tribes, continuing in recent years. Since 1989, Papua New Guinea has experienced the intrastate, non-state and one-sided categories of organized violence, as defined by UCDP.
2025
The level of violence in Papua New Guinea decreased in 2025, with only one active non-state dyad between the Yakuman and Yangukim tribes with 31 reported fatalities. This explains the decrease in the level of violence, as 2024 saw multiple active dyads with several larger, deadlier attacks. In terms of geographical location, the violence in 2025 was localized to Enga province, Wapenamanda district, where both the Yakuman and Yangukim tribes are located. Non-state violence was the only type of violence present in the country during 2025.
Tribal conflict in Papua New Guinea
Tribal conflict has been a way of life in the highlands of Papua New Guinea where warfare has been an acceptable tool to settle disputes between tribes. Family conflicts have tended to escalate as an attack on one tribesman has been considered an attack on the whole community. The conflicts are often sparked by disputes over land and resources and as the region has seen an influx of modern weapons, these conflicts have become deadlier.
Tribal non-state conflicts that have reached the UCDP threshold of inclusion in Papua New Guinea include Agarabi – Tapo, Aiyala - Nomali, Akibu - Tonakau, Akul – Kambrip, Ambulin, Lungipin, Nenei, Sau, Sau Walep, Yandamau, Yopo - Kaekin, Lanzerakin, Lyona, Mupapalum Murap, Palinau, Sakaikin, Sikin, Wapukin, Kuboma - Kulumata, Oi Kuru - Libe Koi, Pasal - Yukap, Piande - Sakar, Unjamap - Wogia-Tunjup, and Wagia subclan of Takima - Wayai subclan of Takima.
One example of tribal fighting turning deadlier is the tribal conflict between the Yopo Alliance and the Palinau Alliance. During 2024, the conflict saw renewed violence. The influx of mercenaries using guerrilla tactics, combined with the spread of modern and illegal firearms, significantly escalated the violence. The conflict erupted after the Ambulin tribe learned of a potential attack by the Palinau Alliance. In response, they ambushed the tribes living in the village of Akom, located on the border between the Wabag and Wapenamanda districts. The Wapenamanda massacre, which is considered the deadliest in Papua New Guinea's Highlands in recent years, resulted in an estimated 60–70 deaths, according to eyewitnesses and perpetrators. Although the exact origins of the conflict remain unclear, it is widely believed to be rooted in a land dispute over the boundaries of customary land. In a historic peacebuilding effort, the Papua New Guinean government, along with the leaders of the warring parties, successfully negotiated a ceasefire in March, ending the cycle of revenge killings. No further deaths were reported for the remainder of the year.
Conflict in Bouganville
In 1989, an intrastate conflict broke out between the BRA and the Government of Papua New Guinea. By the end of the 1980s, intense copper mining on Bougainville had led to massive environmental damage that threatened the traditional livelihood of the population. When the Bougainvilleans were declined compensation for the land occupied and the environmental impact of a major mine, the BRA instigated an armed struggle against the government in 1989. In the context of this conflict, the Government of Papua New Guinea under Sir Julius Chan resorted to one-sided violence in 1996. Finally, the two sides engaged in a negotiation process that resulted in a truce in 1997 and in a comprehensive peace agreement in 2001 that provided for large-scale autonomy for the island, and a future referendum on independence. By 1997, the fighting had ended. Elections for the Bougainville Autonomous Government were held through May and June 2005, with former rebel Joseph Kabui winning the presidential seat. Following the elections in 2020, former BRA commander Ishmael Toroama became the fourth president of the Bougainville Autonomous Government.
One-sided violence
In the context of the intrastate conflict between the Government of Papua New Guinea and BRA , Government of Papua New Guinea was responsible for violations of human rights including sporadic one-sided attacks and "disappearances" of civilians. In some of the attacks government forces were joined by the Resistance Forces, a government-backed Bougainvillean paramilitary group.
According to Amnesty International revenge killings by government troops whose relatives had been killed by the BRA were common. Clan or family members of the supposed perpetrators were killed as "payback". The government forces also targeted former member of the BRA. The victims were often shot or killed in mortar attacks.
In 2024, a youth gang called I don't care carried out attacks in remote areas of East Sepik province. Reportedly connected to long-standing land disputes, the gang executed at least 26 civilians in four different villages.
