The world has been shocked by images of wanton violence, looting and destruction on the streets of Papua New Guinea’s capital, Port Moresby, in the past week.
Prime Minister James Marape declared a state of emergency as shops were set on fire and citizens shot. At least 22 people have been killed as a result of the violence.
Several reasons have been put forward for the sudden eruption of violence. A “technical glitch” in the government’s payroll system that cut public service pay packets was the official explanation, although this did little to quell rumours that
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