Sugu Valley tribal war death toll rises to at least 30
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| Armed tribal warriors on the move in Sugu Valley. |
Sugu Valley tribal war death toll rises to at least 30
PORT MORESBY: At least six tribes have been fighting in Sugu Valley (Kagua-Erave, Southern Highlands) since Feb 10, 2019, without any signs of an end and peace.
In fact, the death toll has risen to at least 30, up from 11 on May 23, 2019, and the opening of a new battlefront in Sumbura near Poroma with multiple deaths reported in 24 wards.
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| Armed tribal warriors on the march into the forests and jungles. |
PNG Cyber Monitor is again highlighting the plight of the villagers who have been living in fear as reported by The National:
Bloodbath in valley
By PISAI GUMARTHE ongoing Sugu Valley tribal war death toll has risen to at least 30, up from 11 on May 23.
And, another bloody battlefront, involving at least six tribes, has erupted in Sumbura near Poroma with multiple deaths reported in 24 wards.
At Sugu Valley in Kagua-Erave, Southern Highlands, 26 bodies have been recovered to date. Six others are feared killed but the bodies have yet to be recovered.
Akar village locals Jenny Kale, Max Awa and Jack Wano told The National that rival tribes – Liareba, Perepe and Wambeya – had allegedly killed 18 of their people.
Liareba’s Rocky Kula lamented that eight of his tribe members were also killed in the running battles involving guns, bows and arrows.
Wano said those killed were 13 men, three women, a six-year-old and a two-week-old baby.
He said the mother of the six-year-old was shot on her right hand while the baby and mother, from Finschhafen, Morobe, were both killed.
The National toured Sugu Valley over the Queen’s Birthday weekend and found houses on both sides of Sugu River and basin razed.
Thousands of homeless women and children have taken refuge in caves and forests along the mountain ranges of Popa-Naguri, Tema-Pablato and Ilimikusu.
Among the debris were the Sumbura Health Centre and Akar Elementary and Primary schools.
On Saturday, local businessman Maita Yawi, Southern Highlands deputy governor James Mali, community and church leaders met and discussed how to find an amicable way to restore peace. Police were also present at the meeting.
Wano said Akar villagers of Ya’ala tribe who were injured by bullets, knives, bows and arrows could not seek medical treatment at Kagua station for fear of being ambushed and attacked.
The ethnic war that erupted on Feb 10, involving nine council wards, is between the Angema, Roga 1 and 2, Yaugo 1 and 2 and Dorowalaiya combo versus the Liareba, Perepe and Wambeya group.
“We are talking to rival tribal leaders to broker peace despite the tension and continuous clashes,” Yawi said.
“The fighting cannot continue unabated. It is tarnishing our communities here, leaving a very negative image.
“Please stop fighting. We must uphold civility, keep up with current times, technology and development.”
Kula said Liareba tribe members had laid down their arms and were prepared for peace negotiations.
“But some of the leaders are inciting the fighting and killing by providing guns and ammunition. They must be stopped.”
And, another bloody battlefront, involving at least six tribes, has erupted in Sumbura near Poroma with multiple deaths reported in 24 wards.
At Sugu Valley in Kagua-Erave, Southern Highlands, 26 bodies have been recovered to date. Six others are feared killed but the bodies have yet to be recovered.
Akar village locals Jenny Kale, Max Awa and Jack Wano told The National that rival tribes – Liareba, Perepe and Wambeya – had allegedly killed 18 of their people.
Liareba’s Rocky Kula lamented that eight of his tribe members were also killed in the running battles involving guns, bows and arrows.
Wano said those killed were 13 men, three women, a six-year-old and a two-week-old baby.
He said the mother of the six-year-old was shot on her right hand while the baby and mother, from Finschhafen, Morobe, were both killed.
The National toured Sugu Valley over the Queen’s Birthday weekend and found houses on both sides of Sugu River and basin razed.
Thousands of homeless women and children have taken refuge in caves and forests along the mountain ranges of Popa-Naguri, Tema-Pablato and Ilimikusu.
Among the debris were the Sumbura Health Centre and Akar Elementary and Primary schools.
On Saturday, local businessman Maita Yawi, Southern Highlands deputy governor James Mali, community and church leaders met and discussed how to find an amicable way to restore peace. Police were also present at the meeting.
Wano said Akar villagers of Ya’ala tribe who were injured by bullets, knives, bows and arrows could not seek medical treatment at Kagua station for fear of being ambushed and attacked.
The ethnic war that erupted on Feb 10, involving nine council wards, is between the Angema, Roga 1 and 2, Yaugo 1 and 2 and Dorowalaiya combo versus the Liareba, Perepe and Wambeya group.
“We are talking to rival tribal leaders to broker peace despite the tension and continuous clashes,” Yawi said.
“The fighting cannot continue unabated. It is tarnishing our communities here, leaving a very negative image.
“Please stop fighting. We must uphold civility, keep up with current times, technology and development.”
Kula said Liareba tribe members had laid down their arms and were prepared for peace negotiations.
“But some of the leaders are inciting the fighting and killing by providing guns and ammunition. They must be stopped.”
Fighting leaves thousands homeless, without food
By PISAI GUMARTHE ongoing tribal war in Sugu Valley in the Kagua-Erave district of Southern Highlands that erupted on Feb 10 has left thousands of women and children homeless, starving and without proper shelter.
In dire need of foodstuffs, beddings and clothings, they are sleeping in makeshift shelters, eating whatever they can scavenge and surviving daily in fear.
Villager Jenny Kale said: “We have been suffering for three months. When will this ordeal end? Our safety is not our only main worry.
“We are exposed and prone to outbreak of diseases.
“We are taking refuge in caves and forest tree trunks along the mountain ranges of Popa-Naguri, Tema-Pablato and Ilimikusu.
“We have no access to health facility because the Sumbura Health Centre was razed.
“We are not sleeping under proper shelters, our children are not sleeping and eating well, we don’t have proper food and cooking utensils.
“The burning of Akar Primary and Elementary Schools have also resulted in students getting involved in the tribal fights.
“The tribal dispute and conflict was started between two people which should have been mediated and resolved amicably.
“Instead, it was allowed to deteriorate and get out of hand or control.
“How many more lives must we lose?”
Kale said the health of babies born in forests during the tribal battles was now “our big worry and concern”.
“All villagers could not salvage any household items. We are having a torrid time,” she added.
Local businessman Maita Yawi urged villagers to pray to God in churches for his endless love, grace and wisdom to bring peace to the people. “Many souls, especially babies and women, have been lost senselessly. Churches need to think of our souls in Sugu Valley in prayers,” he said.
However, Akar leader Justin Mapi said: “If the provincial government and Government wished to help us, send us cash and food aid. Yawi can then distribute to the displaced and affected.
“Yawi has been the only leader who has been reaching out to the rival tribes during bad and good times.”
In dire need of foodstuffs, beddings and clothings, they are sleeping in makeshift shelters, eating whatever they can scavenge and surviving daily in fear.
Villager Jenny Kale said: “We have been suffering for three months. When will this ordeal end? Our safety is not our only main worry.
“We are exposed and prone to outbreak of diseases.
“We are taking refuge in caves and forest tree trunks along the mountain ranges of Popa-Naguri, Tema-Pablato and Ilimikusu.
“We have no access to health facility because the Sumbura Health Centre was razed.
“We are not sleeping under proper shelters, our children are not sleeping and eating well, we don’t have proper food and cooking utensils.
“The burning of Akar Primary and Elementary Schools have also resulted in students getting involved in the tribal fights.
“The tribal dispute and conflict was started between two people which should have been mediated and resolved amicably.
“Instead, it was allowed to deteriorate and get out of hand or control.
“How many more lives must we lose?”
Kale said the health of babies born in forests during the tribal battles was now “our big worry and concern”.
“All villagers could not salvage any household items. We are having a torrid time,” she added.
Local businessman Maita Yawi urged villagers to pray to God in churches for his endless love, grace and wisdom to bring peace to the people. “Many souls, especially babies and women, have been lost senselessly. Churches need to think of our souls in Sugu Valley in prayers,” he said.
However, Akar leader Justin Mapi said: “If the provincial government and Government wished to help us, send us cash and food aid. Yawi can then distribute to the displaced and affected.
“Yawi has been the only leader who has been reaching out to the rival tribes during bad and good times.”
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