Tribal conflict

THE all out tribal conflict in the Sugu Valley of Kagua Erave has seriously affected school children from elementary, primary and high schools of Kagua and Erave.
Reports from education authorities in Kagua admitted that 33 elementary classes, five primary schools, one vocational centre and the Sugu Valley high schools have suspended classes indefinitely.
Children are affected and their learning has been suspended because their tribesmen are at war with each other.
Their educational progress has been seriously affected and missed opportunities for students in grade 10 will have long term consequences for them.
It is not their fault and for them to be victims of tribal stupidity but the damage will done.
The spillover effect has caused all schools (33 elementary, eight primary schools and Erave High School) in the Erave sub district to also suspend classes until the situation in the Sugu Valley goes back to normal.
The road network that connects Erave to Kagua and to the outside world runs through the troubled Sugu Valley.
Erave schools and the health centre cannot access the road with conflict going on.
Even if they were allowed through, the return trip would mean coming back with vital supplies for the Erave communities which would be confiscated by these warring clansman.
This effectively has hindered and restricted movement of innocent people commuting from Erave to Kagua and vice versa.
The police in Kagua are said to be intimidated by the firepower of the local warring tribesman.
This has seriously hampered efforts to curb the ongoing violence against warring tribal and clan members.
Reports coming from within the troubled areas confirm that even young children and their mothers are being targeted in the brutal attacks.
Our forefathers didn’t attack innocent children or woman.
Anyone who had a weapon was fair game.
This is madness and it has to stop.
A local businessman based out of Lae has made it his business to intervene in this conflict, even though he isn’t from the area.
Like-minded Kagua Eraveans are reminded that this situation needs our input, support through actions of negotiation peace and normalcy to return.
The rest of Kagua Erave people must know that the responsibility to end this conflict will come from those who started this conflict.
Those who instigated the issue have to step up and take responsibility to bring back peace and normalcy for our children to go school, parents and other innocent people must be allowed to move around freely.
Elites of Sugu Valley need to end this conflict.
They are the ones who hold the ultimate authority.
They must make the first move to end this catastrophic phenomenon.

Richard Yasi
Son of Kagua