Mala reconciles its people

MALAITA Province has completed its second phase of reconciliation in the province. This was achieved in collaboration with the Ministry of National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace. Provincial Government, chiefs, church and community leaders, and non-government organisations took part in the process.“Malaita Provincial Government and the National Government have recognised the importance of this intra-reconciliation programme,” the ministry said in a statement.“It is a significant prerequisite for true and meaningful development for long lasting peace that will achieve economic prosperity in longer term within the province.”“The intra-reconciliation program became feasible after the translation of the Government’s policy statement. Not only that but the prioritization of reconciliation and rehabilitation as its number one priority to enable all levels of societies to live in unity, peace and harmony.”The statement said the road map for this intra-reconciliation programme was drawn in a Leader’s Summit held in Auki in 2007.This programme will concentrate mainly on all cases that are partially or wholly related to the ethnic tension. The intra-reconciliation programme began with a two and half week training jointly coordinated by World Vision and ministerial staff.The 24 Field Mediators were selected on the basis of their capability and recognition in their communities and on their past experiences in community leadership.“The field mediators, after two months in the field, presented a total of 56 ethnic tension related cases. 22 cases were approved for facilitation and assistance whilst almost 82 per cent of the approved cases were reconciled.“The remaining 61 per cent of ethnic tension related cases await the third phase of intra reconciliation programme probably this year and part of 2009.“Generally, the success comes about when five cases were reconciled in central region, seven in northern region, three in southern region and three cases in eastern region.”The second phase of intra reconciliation programme started at the end of May and contracts of field mediators are expected to expire at the end of October 2008.Most reconciled ethnic tension cases were emotional, especially in cases where perpetrators and victims have never met and for the first time came together to forgive and accept each other.

Source: SIBC