Tribal Fight

Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas acknowledged this when presenting a cheque for K300,000 to Wabag Primary School on Thursday, October 26th. 

“This is a reality that those involved in tribal fighting don’t realise,” Sir Peter said.

He said the grassroots people who are killing each other and destroying properties, including schools, must “stop this evil” as they are destroying the future of their own children. 

On Wednesday, 23^rd February 2022, representatives of both tribes led by their respective leaders, Yarip Belen for Aiyela and Namo Pore for Nomali, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Paiam Police Station, agreeing to stop fighting and go into mediation.

The Nomali-Aiyela fighting broke out in March of 2021 at Kairik Village over claims of outstanding compensation payments and land issues, leading to unconfirmed death reports of close to 100 people.

Provincial Police Commander, George Kakas, said the fighting subsided last Wednesday when Enga’s Mobile Squad (MS11) withdrew from Southern Highlands with a section of military personnel stationed at strategic locations on the border of the two warring tribes. 

On Monday, the peace and good order committee, escorted by police, visited both tribes to foster peace agreements, but one tribe refused.

This morning, PPC Kakas said fighting erupted again with the Kii tribe launching an attack on the Kala tribe.

Community groups based in the province have now come together to see how best they can cater to these vulnerable group of people.

The Hela Council of Churches, Hela Meri’s Never Give Up, Tari Family Sexual Violence Unit, Young Ambassadors of Peace and Peace and Good Order Committee are working very hard to get the provincial authorities to address this issue.

Among their efforts they have also started the Hela Relief Appeal in partnership with Advancing PNG: Women Leaders Network Inc.

Powi said there is no space for tribal fights in his province and called on the people to embrace change.

He was responding to new reports of killings and the possible eruption of tribal fights in the province.

He is calling on the people of Upper Mendi, Nipa and Nembi Plateau local level Governments areas led by the community, church leaders and the presidents to take control of the situation.

Jiwaka police commander Joseph Tondop reported that fighting between the Kisu and Neneka tribes intensified following the killing of Maime Kapa, aged 25, late Saturday night.

Tondop says that six suspects have been identified as police look into the murder of the man.

The incident occurred  as a result of an ongoing land dispute between the two neighboring Kisu and Neneka tribes at the headwaters of the Wara Kane Kudjip Minj in Jiwaka.