Papua New Guinea tribal conflicts: Can Marape factor improve situation in Highlands?

A Highlands MP himself, Marape, took over the post of Papua New Guinea's prime minister less than 2 months ago and had vowed to improve life for his people.

At least 24 people have died and the toll is expected to rise further in recent tribal fighting in Hela province in Highlands of Papua New Guinea, prompting fresh concerns about the failure of PNG government in tackling the issue as it gets deadlier despite repeated "warnings" and efforts to strengthen governance.

Tribal fighting in Papua New Guinea causes hundreds of deaths and thousands of displacements in the Highlands each year and most of the fights are fuelled by old rivalries prompted by rape or theft, or disputes over tribal boundaries. Though efforts are being made and recently appointed Prime Minister James Marape, whose constituency includes the district where the recent killings occurred, has warned strict action against tribals resorting to violence, but it is yet to be seen if tribes will be able to restrain their fighters, many of whom have hold of advanced weapons.

A Highlands MP himself, Marape, took over the post of Papua New Guinea's prime minister less than 2 months ago and had vowed to improve life for his people. The recent fights prompted him to announce swift justice and more security deployments for the Highlands. 

Increasing hopes with promises of improved governance

The Highlands were long ignored by politicians, they inherited little infrastructure, poor roads, little electricity, and a broken health and education system but many expect the situation to change now that a person with his roots to Highlands has taken the top job.

Marape has warned strict actions against "gun-toting criminals" and promised to improve infrastructure in the largely rugged terrain of Highlands. A makeshift military garrison was established in Enga province in the highlands last year and a company of around 100 government soldiers was also deployed after the surge in violence in the region.

Something on similar lines is expected from Marape for Hela province. He has already acknowledged the need for deployment of more security personnel. 

"How can a province of 400,000 people function with policing law and order with under 60 policemen, and occasional operational military and police that does no more than band-aid maintenance," he said in a Facebook post after the recent attacks.

Marape also added that Hela province hosts LNG and power transmission line for Porgera gold mine, which makes it even more important to strengthen governance in the region as the projects can aid the struggling economy of PNG.