A community once gripped by fear, suspicion and violence in Morobe is beginning a new chapter after a peace and reconciliation ceremony held on Friday.
The event brought together divided communities determined to rebuild their future.
Hundreds of people from Wantoat in the Leron Wantoat Local Level Government (LLG) area of Markham District gathered on Friday to witness what church leaders described as the beginning of a new era for the area.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELCPNG) led the ceremony at the Wantoat Evangelical Lutheran Church Circuit, where five parish congregations surrendered weapons and renounced alleged criminal activities associated with years of conflict sparked by sorcery accusations.
The violence began in 2022 as allegations of sorcery spread through villages, causing neighbours to turn against one another.
The conflict intensified in 2023 and reached its peak in 2024, resulting in killings, destruction of property and widespread fear that displaced families and disrupted government services.
Residents avoided travelling freely while schools, health services and normal economic activities were affected.
One of the people credited with helping restore calm is local young leader Omin Erinu, who returned to his village after completing his Advanced Bachelor of Management at the University of Goroka.
Working alongside village elders, he helped establish a Peace and Reconciliation Team that encouraged dialogue, disarmament and mediation between rival communities.
The initiative later received strong backing from ELCPNG Deputy Bishop Pastor Lucas Kidabing, whose leadership helped unite church and community leaders in pursuing reconciliation.
Pastor Kidabing said Friday's ceremony symbolised more than the surrender of weapons; it represented the restoration of hope.
"We can now see a peaceful environment returning to Wantoat.
People can once again live, work and move freely without fear," he said.
He acknowledged the support of the Markham District Development Authority, the Honlly Isaac Jokema Foundation, the Law and Justice Sector and other partners who contributed to the peace process.
During the height of the crisis, the Markham District Development Authority, under the leadership of Markham MP and Deputy Speaker Koni Iguan, provided K100,000 to support police operations.
The funding enabled members of the Special Services Division (SSD) to conduct a week-long operation aimed at restoring normalcy and also assisted the Peace and Reconciliation Committee in staging its first reconciliation ceremony last year.
However, lasting peace only began to emerge through sustained dialogue led by church and community leaders.
District Officer-in-Charge Lazarus Noah was at the occasion delivered a speech and described the reconciliation as a powerful reminder that forgiveness and unity remain the strongest foundations for rebuilding communities.
The church's next focus will be youth empowerment through agriculture, sports, community development and mindset transformation programmes to ensure peace is sustained across Wantoat.
