Groups reconcile, reunite through peace ceremony

By ZACHERY PER
TWO groups of the Kopi tribe in Dei, Western Highlands, that supported two rival tribes that fought over the Gumanch coffee plantation reconciled and reunited last weekend.
In a one-off Kopi-one unity and peace meeting in Goroka last Saturday, the split groups that teamed up with the Kimka and Rologka tribes, respectively cut a unity cake to re-unite as Kopi One.
The reconciliation was funded by tribesman Joe Kenken Mok who, even though lost millions of kina worth of properties in the fight still advocates for peace and harmony to return to the Kopi tribe.
Mok said the meeting in Goroka was to pave the way to restore peace and unity in Dei.
“Our meeting went very well,” he said.
“All our Kopi boys on both sides spoke well, reconciled and agreed that they are a third party in the Kimka and Rologa fight and it was not their fight.
“They said apologised to each other for the loss of lives and properties.
“Kopi unity was restored after our meeting.”
Moka said the tribesmen were happy and promised to look after each other and assured that there will be no disturbances when the Kimka and Rologa tribesmen start resettling at Mun and Gumanch villages.
“The meeting paves way for peace and resettlement at Mun and Gumanch villages,” he said.
The Kopi tribesmen who spoke at the meeting expressed remorse that the tribal fight was not their doing and claimed that they were just being used as tools in the fight.