A gun battle between rival militias in Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, has left several men dead and renewed fears of a violent outbreak on the island.

A group of Bougainville Freedom Fighters raided the base of notorious conman Noah Musingku on Tuesday 21 November, opening fire on the camp and killing an unconfirmed number of men.

Musingku fled the scene of the fight and was accompanied by several of his staff members, including Fijian ex-soldiers reportedly recruited with the intention of building up an army.  

The Autonomous Bougainville Government and the governments of Papua New Guinea and Fiji are concerned that Musignku’s plans to build an army could seriously threaten the peace process in Bougainville following years of violent armed conflict.

With gun-running throughout the Pacific remaining a significant problem, particularly in Bougainville and Papua New Guinea, strengthening the fragile peace process is vital to ensure the safety and security of Bougainville’s people. This issue has been recognised by other governments in the Pacific, who stress the common concern of regional stability.   

Small Arms Survey Report: Gun-running in Papua New Guinea: From Arrows to Assault Weapons in the Southern Highlands.