Committee brokers peace among tribes in Kandep

 A PEACE restoration committee has made a breakthrough in brokering a peace deal among warring tribes in Kandep district, Enga.

The tribes have agreed to surrender arms to the authorities.

The committee comprised Enga provincial administration Dr Samson Amean, provincial police commander Supt Philip Welia, provincial law and order director Nelson Leia, Kandep district acting administrator Ben Basawe and provincial rural police commander Chief Insp Martin Kelly.

They were able to bring leaders of the warring tribes to Wabag through Mendi in Southern Highlands and Laiagam in Enga last Friday. 

Supt Welia said the two main tribes engaged in a guerilla-type war for 12 months were Akulya and Kambirip. 

More than 10,000 people in eight council wards have been badly affected after the tribes started attacking each other using guns, he said.

“They have been killing each other and destroying millions of kina worth of public and private property for 12 months,” he said. 

“It was the first time (for them) to sit down and talk to each other when we brought them to Wabag last Friday.”

Treasury minister Don Polye is the Kandep MP. He and lawyer Alfred Manase also from the districts have been blamed for the fights because of their political rivalry since 2009.

Welia said the successful peace negotiation was the result of a 12-week consultation process between the police, provincial law and order officials, Enga provincial administration and the warring tribes.

“The positive result so far on the peace process is because of the commitment of the Enga provincial government and administration. They took ownership of the problem in terms of funding and logistical support to make our work easier,” he said.

Kandep district administrator Ben Basawe said more than 100 lives were lost while property worth millions of kina were destroyed. 

He said Kandep district office alone would need K3 million to restore public assets lost during the conflict .

He said public properties destroyed included the Tinjipak health centre, Tinjipak Primary and Elementary Schools, Suvi Elementary School, Yutipak Primary School, Yutipark court house, Yalu agriculture and livestock station, Muimanda Elementary School, Puke Elementary School, Pidi Primary School, Wet aid post, Pura aid post, Pura cattle project and Pura Elementary School. 

The villages that faced similar fate include Kambia 1 and 3, Gin 1 and 2, Kolopa 1 and 2, Yuripak, Suvi 1 and 2 and Tinjipak.

“Generally, the entire Mariant area with a population of more than 50,000 people have been affected. 

“Most of the people there have fled to Mendi, Wapenamanda and other areas in the Highlands region,” he said.

Amean, who visited the affected areas three times, described the breakthrough as a “divine intervention”.

“When I first visited the area there was no sign of human beings. The whole Kandep area was empty. 

“I believe God has intervened to restore peace because innocent mothers and children were dying,” he said.

Amean said it took more than 100 public servants last Tuesday to Kandep to visit the affected areas and talk with the people before the signing of the pact.