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Explainer | As Papua New Guinea vows return to normality after deadly riots and looting, will chaos mar its US, China ties?
- PM James Marape has cancelled a trip to Davos as he confidently dismisses calls to resign while trying to defuse the crisis sparked by a police pay dispute
- The US, China and Australia are watching events closely, as food insecurity could trigger yet more violence amid a 14-day state of emergency in the capital
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Christopher Cottrellin Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Days after a police walkout over pay in Papua New Guinea triggered deadly violence and looting, Prime Minister James Marape appears to have regained control of a dangerous situation.
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The leader on Thursday imposed a two-week state of emergency with the army supporting police, vowing to bring to justice the culprits for the chaos. On Friday, he ruled out a curfew but imposed limits on “large” group gatherings in the capital, Port Moresby.
According to a Reuters report, 20 people were killed. But once the ashes of torched buildings and shops are picked through, there are fears the death toll will rise.
Marape was due in Davos, Switzerland, this weekend to speak to a gathering of global leaders and businesspeople. Instead, he is firmly grounded at home, dousing an unpredictable domestic crisis.
Here’s what we know so far, as Papua New Guinea faces its greatest unrest in a generation.
What happened?
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