MoA to be signed between Moveave and Kamea tribes

Moveave and Kamea tribes in Gulf Province will sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on the 14th of this month, November, to end their long-running tribal conflict at Upper Taure, Hinenga, Fish Creek in the Taure Lakekamu Local Level Government.

The date has been set by the Provincial Executive Council, while the venue has been selected to be at Urban Malalaua Local Level Government, Kerema District.

The tribes met for the fourth time on the 31st of October to negotiate the venue and date for the MOA to be signed between the two ethnic groups.

It was revealed that a ceasefire agreement already exists, however it will be amended to capture the current concerns and grievances of both parties before the signing.

President for Taure-Lakekamu LLG, Herbert Pokana, and relatives of those who lost lives during the conflict, asked both parties if they wanted genuine peace and if they were serious about putting the issue to rest once and for all.

Both parties, after sharing their grievances on how the conflict has affected their livelihoods, agreed that they wanted peace.

The conflict reportedly started in September 2024 and has since resulted in loss of lives and several people injured. The ongoing conflict has limited access to basic government services for both communities and disturbed peace within Kerema district.

For the peace process, K300,000 will go to the affected families — K100,000 for each of the three families affected, and K200,000 will be shared between the two tribal groups — K100,000 each to make peace the Melanesian way with food and pigs.

Attending the meeting were community leaders, peace committee members and ward councillors from both parties, the Acting Police Station Commander – Inspector Pius Koma, and the President for Taure-Lakekamu LLG, President Herbert Pokana.