Papua New Guinea: Enga Province violence almost certain to remain localised

Around 2 February, New Zealand halted its AUD$5.7 million electrification project in Tsak Valley, Enga Province, due to the risk from ongoing armed tribal violence. Work had stopped in August 2025 after contractors withdrew amid continued clashes, with officials saying the project was unlikely to resume. 

Assessment:  The halt of the electrification project is a response to localised tribal violence in the Province, which is highly unlikely to affect broader instability. Enga Province accounts for the highest number of violent incidents in the Highlands region (28% of all incidents in this region) due to competing local officials and firearms often sold illegally by state security forces. Such disruptions are common and typically confined to specific areas of known violence-affected areas. Since the withdrawal, on 10 February, Chief Superintendent Steven Harris, a former Australian police officer now a sworn officer serving in the Royal PNG Constabulary, was appointed to lead the Enga Province Police. The Police and Internal Security Minister has also arrived in Enga to negotiate ceasefire talks.

Sources: Johnny Blades, “Leaders of PNG province plagued by violence vow to weed out illegal guns,” RNZ, 30 January 2026; “NZ pulls plug on $6.7m power project in Papua New Guinea amid tribal violence,” NBC, 2 February 2026; Johnny Blades, “NZ pulls plug on $6.7m power project in Papua New Guinea amid tribal violence,” RNZ, 2 February 2026.