PNG Defence Force Soldiers Maintain Demands After Murray Barracks Roadblock Removed

PNG Soldiers Clear Murray Barracks Roadblock After Overnight Standoff

A tense overnight standoff at Murray Barracks in Port Moresby has ended after soldiers dismantled a roadblock they had set up along access routes to the military base in Papua New Guinea.
Although the barricade has been removed, the group of soldiers involved have not withdrawn their concerns, maintaining a structured four-point list of demands directed at the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) leadership, calling for urgent reforms and accountability.
The soldiers had earlier restricted movement in and out of the barracks, describing the action as a peaceful stand against alleged corruption and recruitment irregularities within the force.

At the centre of their demands is the call for the dissolution of the Defence Council, removal of senior personnel linked to recruitment processes, reinstatement of dismissed officers, withdrawal of disciplinary cases against serving members, and the establishment of an independent external investigation team.
Attempts by the Force Support Battalion Commanding Officer, Major Ashley Gamiandu, to engage the group were declined, with the soldiers insisting that only the PNGDF Commander should front them directly.
The soldiers have also indicated support for Prime Minister James Marape’s directive to pause internal investigations, but maintain that only an independent inquiry involving senior leadership will bring clarity to the allegations raised.

Headlines

• ​PNG Soldiers question dismissals as recruitment probe begins
• PNG Opposition claims K156 billion spent with little to show, Nomane says citizens under pressure
• ​PNG Fuel Prices to Drop to K4 Per Litre Under New Government Subsidy
• ​PNG reviews Solomon Islands call for police support after cyclone damage