Putting Data Around Intergroup Violence and Sorcery Accusation–Related Violence in Papua New Guinea

This discussion paper provides analysis of newspaper reports from Papua New Guinea around two different but interconnected forms of violence: intergroup violence and sorcery accusation–related violence. The authors conclude that both types of violence are fueled by money politics, the widespread availability of guns and the normalization of violence, the erosion of traditional and local forms of leadership and regulation, and public service delivery failures. Peacebuilding efforts led by women and community leaders have been effective in countering violence, but the authors recommend the further development of robust and long-term systems to generate, analyze, and make public data related to violence in Papua New Guinea.