Appeal for peace

By PISAI GUMAR
THE blood-splattered Sugu Valley tribal battles being waged by at least six tribes since Feb 10 involved the use of telescopic firearms, binoculars and communication devices.
The bullets fired from such firearms can hit targets as far as 850m.
This has given rise to villagers suspecting that the unabated raging tribal war could be funded by someone or organisation with a hidden agenda.
To date, the death toll from the running battles is at least 30 men, women, children and babies.
The so-called tribal warriors are also armed with rifles, bows and arrows, knives and other “weapons”.
Southern Highlands police commander Martin Lakari has urged and appealed to the warring tribes to lay down their arms to facilitate peace negotiations.
He said the fighting and killing had stopped for two weeks but rival tribes were now focused on protecting their tribal members, themselves and defending their territories.
“This reflects the need for peace negotiations to begin.”
Local businessman Maita Yawi, who has been using his own resources to fund visits to rival tribes with supporters to broker peace since early May, said the ongoing tribal war clashes were merciless.
“This is an awful and senseless situation,” he said.
“Unarmed innocent children and women are killed. It requires immediate government and church interventions for peace and normalcy.
“Thousands of women and children are homeless after their houses were razed.
“They have fled seeking refuge in the forest, caves and hills of Popa-Naguri, Tema-Pablato and Ilimikusu. They live in makeshift shelters that are unfit for human habitation and are exposed to disease outbreaks.”
The unrest has also halted the progress of the million-kina road construction from Kagua to link Erave, Moro and Kikori. “Socio-economic development efforts along the basin are now in tatters,” Yawi said, adding that tribal leaders must stop the war, sit down and negotiate for peace.
“It may take a while to restore normalcy to everyone’s lives as both private and government facilities are in ashes.
“But it is my heart and cry for peace of mind to prevail amongst the Kagua-Erave people.
“I am determined to restore peace with the help of God and I appeal to churches, governments and non-government organisations to support and help me broker peace for the villagers.”
Yawi said his determination and commitment to intervene and try to restore normalcy and peace had no political or any agenda
“Culturally, the forefathers of both rival groups supported my forefathers in traditional warfare. Therefore, I am left in a neutral position to help broker for peace between the rival tribes,” he added.