Tribal bloodshed shines spotlight on strategically vital Papua New Guinea's domestic security issues
ABC News
A tribal clash in Papua New Guinea’s remote highlands in which more than 20 people were shot dead has put a growing internal security problem under the microscope in the strategically vital South Pacific island nation that has garnered closer military ...
MELBOURNE, Australia -- A tribal clash in Papua New Guinea’s remote highlands in which more than 20 people were shot dead on Sunday has put a growing internal security problem under the microscope in the strategically vital South Pacific island nation that has garnered closer military attention from the United States and China.
The rival powers are increasingly keen to striking security pacts with the developing nation whose international significance has grown in tandem with China's increased regional influence.
Here's a look at some key issues surrounding Papua New Guinea's internal security concerns:
Papua New Guinea is the most populous South Pacific island nation after Australia and was a colony of that near neighbor until independence in 1975.
The government estimates Papua New Guinea’s population at around 10 million people, although a United Nations study, based on data including satellite photographs of roof tops, estimated in 2022 it could be as high as 17 million. An accurate census has not been held in the nation in decades.
