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State of Emergency Declared in Papua New Guinea

by VOA News

   A state of emergency has been declared in Papua New Guinea after
   rioting in the remote Pacific island's Southern Highlands province.

   Angry demonstrators looted and set fire to several buildings in the
   provincial capital of Mendi last week, including the residence of
   governor William Powi, after a court dismissed a legal challenge to
   Powi's 2017 election.

   Rioters also torched an airplane belonging to the national air carrier.

   Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has declared a nine-month state of
   emergency, deployed troops to the province, and suspended the
   provincial government. He has granted Thomas Eluh, a former policeman,
   constitutional emergency powers.