Papua New Guinea Pays for Gun Buyback in Amnesty Campaign to Address Tribal Violence

Papua New Guinea launched an amnesty and gun buyback campaign from February 27 until the end of August, aiming to remove tens of thousands of illegal weapons. Citizens can surrender firearms for cash or agricultural business support without penalty. A 2025 UN report estimated approximately 100,000 illegal firearms in the country, with only 12% of weapons legally registered. Tribal violence in the Highlands region has escalated due to land disputes, political tensions, and the proliferation of modern firearms. Prime Minister James Marape warned of severe penalties for those who fail to surrender weapons after the amnesty period.

Papua New Guinea's gun buyback campaign is a classic example of how governments attempt to address violence with cash incentives rather than deep institutional reforms. The idea of paying people to surrender weapons sounds reasonable, but its actual effectiveness is often limited without accompanying stronger measures.

The core issue in Papua New Guinea is not just the quantity of guns, but their origin. Prime Minister Marape admitted that "most of these guns are paid for by people outside the community and given to youths to cause fear and chaos." This statement reveals a complex network – political or economic forces are weaponizing tribal conflicts to serve their own interests. Without blocking the external supply of weapons, the amnesty program is merely a temporary solution.

Former defense commander Jerry Singirok was right to warn that without legal reforms and strict enforcement, amnesty is merely a temporary measure. Deputy Opposition Leader Keith Iduhu criticized even more strongly, suggesting that exchanging guns for business money undermines the rule of law – essentially rewarding those who have broken the law.

The timing of the campaign is also notable. The government aims to clear guns from the Highlands region before the 2027 elections, as elections in Papua New Guinea are often accompanied by increased violence. This is a clear political calculation, but will a six-month amnesty be enough to change a culture of violence deeply entrenched over generations?

The gun buyback model has been tested in many countries with mixed results.