A seven-year tribal conflict that divided the Makol tribe in Sirunki, Enga Province, has ended with the signing of a peace agreement and the surrender of a Russian-made AK-47 assault rifle to police.
The peace agreement between the Yongolem and Tape clans of the Makol tribe in Pilikambi LLG, Laiagam District, was signed at Yaskom Lodge in Sirunki on Sunday, September 13.
The conflict reportedly began from a family dispute in 2018 before escalating into prolonged tribal warfare that divided the Makol tribe and affected the wider Talum community.
Acting Enga Provincial Police Commander, Acting Superintendent Daniel Yangen, who officiated at the peace ceremony, welcomed the reconciliation and urged other communities still holding illegal firearms to take advantage of the National Government’s gun amnesty and surrender them.
Yangen told the gathering that guns offered no lasting security to communities and instead created fear, anxiety, destruction and loss of life.
“A gun cannot save life. Peace is important for the betterment of life in our communities,” Yangen said.
He issued a strong warning that police would pursue people continuing to possess illegal firearms or commit criminal offences.
“I am not from outside; I am from Enga. I know the individuals and communities keeping illegal guns,” Yangen said.
“I personally arrested offenders in Wabag and now I will start arrests in Sirunki. You must lay down your arms. Now is the time to surrender your illegal guns.”
Yangen said his policing approach as Acting PPC would focus strongly on identifying, arresting and prosecuting people accused of criminal offences, stressing that serious criminal matters must be dealt with through the justice system rather than negotiated away through compensation.
He also raised concerns about the deteriorating condition of Sirunki Rural Police Station and called on local leaders and the Enga Provincial Government to support efforts to rebuild police capacity in the area.
Yangen said inadequate policing capacity had allowed tribal conflicts to spread towards the main highway corridor, disrupting communities and affecting important services and economic activities, including a primary school and the area’s strawberry project.
A major moment in the ceremony came when the Tape clan surrendered an AK-47 assault rifle to police in response to the Government’s gun amnesty.
Clan representatives said the firearm had been acquired about 19 years ago, originally for the defence of the wider Makol tribe. However, they acknowledged that the presence of such weapons had instead become a threat to human life and community peace.
The surrender was presented as a commitment by the Tape clan and the wider Makol community to abandon armed conflict and support law and order.
The opposing side allied with the Yongolem clan also pledged to surrender its firearm before the Government’s gun amnesty deadline.
The ceremony marked an emotional reunion for members of the two sides who had reportedly avoided face-to-face contact for years because of the fighting.
In a symbolic demonstration of reconciliation, members of the rival groups shook hands and shared soft drinks together as they committed themselves to restoring peace and rebuilding relationships within the Makol community.
Local businessman and councillor Sir Paul Kurai, a long-time peace advocate in Enga, also addressed the gathering and encouraged both sides to protect the peace and move their communities away from tribal violence.
The peace agreement and firearm surrender were witnessed by Yangen and police personnel, Enga Provincial Law and Order officers, provincial gun amnesty coordinators, community leaders and people from Sirunki.
The Sirunki reconciliation adds momentum to efforts by police and community leaders across Enga to remove illegal firearms from communities, restore law and order and encourage warring groups to resolve disputes peacefully rather than through armed retaliation.