Warring leader apologises to congregations

A WARRING tribe leader in Kagua, Southern Highlands, has apologised to people of the 24 churches destroyed in a local level government area, forcing them to seek refuge elsewhere after fighting last year.
Penny Wanegasi, representing Anagerepa-Merepa from the Aiya LLG, said he and his tribesmen shed tears on seeing churches and government services in disorder so they decided to enter into the reconciliation process.
“Our selfish and self-centred decisions have affected the Christians, our women and daughters seeking refuge and school children affected,” he said.
“We will make sure churches are rebuilt.”
A peace agreement was signed between the Anagerepa-Merepa and Bela-Yamola tribes at the Sumi village in the Iaya local level government (LLG) of Kauga-Erave, in Southern Highlands.
At least 11 lives were lost and, as a result, the Imuya Primary School was damaged and properties worth thousands of kina destroyed while people fled to all parts of the province last July.
“In the eyes of God, representing my tribe, I apologise for the foolish thing that transpired, resulting in innocent lives lost, government and people’s properties damaged,” Wanegasi said.
“We have signed the peace agreement and now looking forward to establishing a new life and in the eyes of God and people we have promised never to start any fight in the future.” Robin Loaya, repenting the other Bela-Yamola warring tribe, apologised and said their biggest challenge was to reconstruct the churches.