Two tribes in the Tsak local level government of Wapenamanda District have come together to make peace after a 2022 election related violence that claimed two lives and disabled three other people.
The Yambatani Iyana tribe of Poketamanda village in Tsak Valley gathered yesterday to pay a compensation payment of K326,000 including 340 pigs, four cows and two goats to the Sikin Waimbau tribe.
Spokesperson of the Yambatani Iyana tribe, Edward Lyakamen, who is an electrical engineer by profession, sincerely acknowledged the financial contributions and support. He thanked the peace reconciliation ceremony organizers for the success that resulted in the Sikin Waimbao tribe wholeheartedly accepting the compensation payment.
“The peace restoration in the community is paramount to allow our mothers, sisters, and children to move freely without fear. It is also to ensure other public servants and community members move freely with normal flow of government services and business activities,” Lyakamen said.
He also acknowledged the input of Wapenamanda Electorate member and Transport Minister Miki Kaeok, Enga governor Sir Peter Ipatas and local businessman and Director of Tai Mini Finance Ltd, Kelep Popoyok.
Lyakamen further acknowledged the support and leadership shown by the neighboring tribes, namely; Yambatain Warenge, Poyo, Pindakin, Yakaegun, Yanuni, Yakaemandan and Yopond tribes for boldly standing up for peace with the Yambatani Iyana community in achieving peace and restoration in the Iyana community, Tsak LLG, Wapenamanda District and Enga Province as a whole.
The highlight of the program was the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for peace signed by Yambatain Iyana and the Sikin Waimbau tribes, witnessed by the Wapenamanda Law and Order team.
Major tribes and clans living in the Tsak LLG and Wapenamanda LLG were present at Poketamanda village to witness the peace reconciliation ceremony.
