alleged acts of cannibalism create fear

The Minister of Police of Papua New Guinea has condemned and judged “terrifying» Monday alleged acts of cannibalism which were relayed on social networks and in the press. A photo of a group of men armed with machetes holding what appears to be a severed foot appeared on the front page of a major national daily on Monday. None of them are photographed in the act of cannibalism, but in a second photo also published on the front page, a man appears to lick this human remains while exposing it to the camera.

Police Minister Peter Tsiamalili said he was particularly disturbed by the images, which likely depict “terrifying acts of cannibalism».

«A violent confrontation between two brothers escalated, leading to a heartbreaking outcome“, Mr. Tsiamalili told AFP. Villagers took part in the conflict, “which led to the gruesome murder of the older brother by his younger brother“, he reported.

“A serious threat to our societal values”

«Such barbarity does not define us as a people or a nation“, he wrote in a press release on Sunday, after the broadcast of images and videos of the same affair on social networks. “These barbaric actions by a group of young people not only shock our collective conscience but also present a serious threat to our societal values ​​that bind us as a nation“, he added. Police concluded that the images were taken in the central Goilala district and the killing took place “a month ago”, according to Mr. Tsiamalili.

Cases of cannibalism have historically been documented among a small number of tribes in remote areas of Papua New Guinea. This means that the country is subject to clichés that are as obsolete as they are stubborn, which it has been trying to get rid of for decades.

In April 2024, United States President Joe Biden suggested that cannibals may have devoured his uncle, who disappeared in the country during World War II. Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape downplayed his remarks and spoke of “confusion» at the American leader.