WAIREGE NA WANYABASI MARA WAAFIKIANA

Koo zote za Mkoani Mara, Tanzania zingekuwa na busara kama koo hizi mbili, matatizo ya kupigana kwa pinde na mishale na mapanga kungekuwa historia.

Tuesday, 31 March, 2009 2:28 AM
From:
camwasam@blueyonder.co.uk

MUGINI JACOB in Tarime, 30th March 2009 @ 10:39A 44-committee of Wairege and Wanyabasi clans met here on Sunday to find immediate solutions for the prolonged clashes between warriors of the two clans. The meeting that was held at the Tarime District Council Conference Hall elected leaders who will spearhead the peace talks between the two sides. “The aim of this meeting is to stop the violence. We have lost several relatives and I ask God to rest their souls in peace”, Mr John Gimunta, a popular trader here said when briefing the delegates on the meeting’s agenda. The chairpersons from warring villages promised to tell their people to stop fighting, a move that will go hand in hand with operation to disarm all villagers, especially those who own guns illegally. “The violence has affected every person in our communities. I am declaring that the battle in my village is over”, Nyankunguru village chairman Abeli Maginga who belong to Wanyabasi clan told the meeting. Maginga’s statement was echoed by other village government chairmen of Nyamwaga, Genkuru, Ganyange, Nyantira,Nyarero, Magoto, Keisangura and Kimusi. The committee is schedule to meet at Kimusi village where Wairege reside on April 15 to spread peace messages. "Our next meeting will also establish a special fund to assist those affected by the clashes, as well as enable committee leaders perform their duties smoothly by visiting all our villages, calling for peace”, Mr Gimunta said. Local leaders including councillors from the neighbouring wards situated in Nyamongo area and a number of traditional elders were also welcomed to participate in the peace talks. They also agreed to stop segregations based on clans and regard themselves as Kurya community. This was the first time for members of the two warring clans of Kurya tribe to hold peace talks without the presence of senior central government leaders. The government has already deployed large number of anti-riot police (FFU) to maintain law and order in the area. Minister for Home Affairs Lawrence Masha made a working tour in Tarime over the weekend, and called members of public to cooperate with the government in ending clan clashes and frequent cattle rustling incidents that have rocked the district for years now. He said the government would deploy unspecified number of police in Tarime mid next month, a move that will go hand in hand with establishing a special police zone in the area.