Ceasefire

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Country/entity: Papua New Guinea
Region: Asia and Pacific
Agreement name: Ceasefire
Date: 13 Mar 2024
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/local conflict
Papua New Guinea: intercommunal violence in the Enga province, (2021-)
While there have been previous instances of intercommunal violence in the Enga province, there has been an escalation since 2023, with two particular instances of recorded deaths and casualties in February and July 2024. The communities in the Enga province have been suffering poverty and depletion of natural resources, and much of the conflict has been centred around the management of natural resources and degradation of agricultural land due to both legal and illegal gold mining operations. Further sources of conflict relate to organised crime and politics. The violence in Wabag and Wapenamanda on February 18th 2024 resulted in at least 25 deaths, with some estimates going up to 50, and the ACLED data estimated 220 casualties in 2023.
Stage: Ceasefire/related
Conflict nature: Inter-group
Peace process: Papua New Guinea: local agreements
Parties: Not signed, agreement mentions the following parties as having produced it:
tribal chiefs of Yopo and Palinau tribal alliances
Third parties: -
Description: In this agreement, the Yopa and Palinau tribal alliances agree to a three-month ceasefire in multiple areas of the Enga province of Papua New Guinea. The ceasefire includes provision for demarcation and for an end to disruption in villages and on public roads.

Agreement document: PG_240313_Ceasefire (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: No specific mention.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: No specific mention.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: No specific mention.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): No specific mention.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): No specific mention.
Elections: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: No specific mention.
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: No specific mention.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: No specific mention.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: No specific mention.
Mobility/access: “The fighting factions, without reservation, undertake to the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) and the Enga Provincial Government that their respective tribesmen, women and children and or any persons associated with them, whether hired or otherwise, WILL, within the fighting zones in Tsaka Valley and Middle Lai areas and along the Highways between Birip and Pombopos and make sure:
(i) There will be no disturbance of any kind by any means, way or form on the highways and public roads;
The RPNGC STRICTLY requires the following to be observed within the fighting zones within the Tsaka Valley and Middle Lai and Aiyal Valley areas as well as along the highway between Birip and Pombapus:
(iIV) No disturbances of any kind or form on highways and public roads;
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: No specific mention.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: No specific mention.
Ceasefire: Security sector→Ceasefire→Ceasefire provision
Unconditional Ceasefire
Both factions agree to an unconditional three-month ceasefire to end tribal warfare and declare that:
The fighting factions, having experienced and witnessed the devastating effects of their conflict, hereby voluntarily surrender to God Almighty and the State of PNG and pledge to end their warfare through this Cease Fire Agreement.
The fighting factions hereby further pledge to work together with the State and its agencies to bring to an END their conflict and work towards restoring peace and normalcy in their communities through the established legal processes to deal with all other conflicts and issues in the community.
Both fighting factions agree to lay down arms and cease and desist from all forms of hostile engagements.
Both fighting factions agree to cease all warlike, provocative, inciteful, and or disrespectful behaviour that may be considered as actions that may trigger the breach of this Cease Fire Agreement.
Both fighting factions agree to maintain the status quo and agree not to trespass into each other’s traditional land boundaries.
Both fighting factions pledge to remain only within their respective customary land boundaries that have not been destroyed and which lands they now currently occupy.
Both fighting factions agree to preserve the status quo by further agreeing to not move into their respective lands that are considered as fighting areas for the duration of this Cease Fire Agreement.
Both fighting factions agree that Security Personnel are to be present at all hot spot areas until such time normalcy has been fully restored.
Both fighting factions agree to submit to and respect State authorities in all its composite forms that are involved in the peace and restoration process.
Both fighting factions undertake to adhere to this agreement as well as all preventative orders issued by the Enga Provincial Law and Order Office from time to time, which orders are annexed hereto for full compliance, and breach of which shall result in the lawful consequences.
“The fighting factions, without reservation, undertake to the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) and the Enga Provincial Government that their respective tribesmen, women and children and or any persons associated with them, whether hired or otherwise, WILL, within the fighting zones in Tsaka Valley and Middle Lai areas and along the Highways between Birip and Pombopos and make sure:
(i) There will be no disturbance of any kind by any means, way or form on the highways and public roads;
(ii) That no armed men will be seen at and/or harass or intimidate, provoke or otherwise any person, whether directly involved in the tribal conflict or from any neighbouring villages;
(iii) That there shall be no disorderly behaviour of any sort;
(iv) That any suspected gunmen or hired man or mercenary or any person otherwise known who may be present in the war zone or are identified wherever they are caught, and identified as a gunman or hired man or mercenary will be detained, arrested;
and
(v) That any conduct, action or behaviour which may be considered as warlike, provocative, inciteful, and or disrespectful behaviour capable of being considered as actions that may trigger the breach of this Ceasefire Agreement.
The RPNGC STRICTLY requires the following to be observed within the fighting zones within the Tsaka Valley and Middle Lai and Aiyal Valley areas as well as along the highway between Birip and Pombapus:
(iIV) No disturbances of any kind or form on highways and public roads;
(iIIV) No movement of armed men within the war zone or the neighbouring villages, whether or not they are actually harassing, or intimidating anyone directly or indirectly involved in tribal conflict;
(VII) No disorderly behaviour or use of provocative words or utterances which may breach the peace or incite disturbance or cause disharmony.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: No specific mention.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: No specific mention.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: No specific mention.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: No specific mention.

Unconditional Ceasefire

Both factions agree to an unconditional three-month ceasefire to end tribal warfare and declare that:

The fighting factions, having experienced and witnessed the devastating effects of their conflict, hereby voluntarily surrender to God Almighty and the State of PNG and pledge to end their warfare through this Cease Fire Agreement.

The fighting factions hereby further pledge to work together with the State and its agencies to bring to an END their conflict and work towards restoring peace and normalcy in their communities through the established legal processes to deal with all other conflicts and issues in the community.

Both fighting factions agree to lay down arms and cease and desist from all forms of hostile engagements.

Both fighting factions agree to cease all warlike, provocative, inciteful, and or disrespectful behaviour that may be considered as actions that may trigger the breach of this Cease Fire Agreement.

Both fighting factions agree to maintain the status quo and agree not to trespass into each other’s traditional land boundaries.

Both fighting factions pledge to remain only within their respective customary land boundaries that have not been destroyed and which lands they now currently occupy.

Both fighting factions agree to preserve the status quo by further agreeing to not move into their respective lands that are considered as fighting areas for the duration of this Cease Fire Agreement.

Both fighting factions agree that Security Personnel are to be present at all hot spot areas until such time normalcy has been fully restored.

Both fighting factions agree to submit to and respect State authorities in all its composite forms that are involved in the peace and restoration process.

Both fighting factions undertake to adhere to this agreement as well as all preventative orders issued by the Enga Provincial Law and Order Office from time to time, which orders are annexed hereto for full compliance, and breach of which shall result in the lawful consequences.

“The fighting factions, without reservation, undertake to the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) and the Enga Provincial Government that their respective tribesmen, women and children and or any persons associated with them, whether hired or otherwise, WILL, within the fighting zones in Tsaka Valley and Middle Lai areas and along the Highways between Birip and Pombopos and make sure:

(i) There will be no disturbance of any kind by any means, way or form on the highways and public roads;

(ii) That no armed men will be seen at and/or harass or intimidate, provoke or otherwise any person, whether directly involved in the tribal conflict or from any neighbouring villages;

(iii) That there shall be no disorderly behaviour of any sort;

(iv) That any suspected gunmen or hired man or mercenary or any person otherwise known who may be present in the war zone or are identified wherever they are caught, and identified as a gunman or hired man or mercenary will be detained, arrested;

and

(v) That any conduct, action or behaviour which may be considered as warlike, provocative, inciteful, and or disrespectful behaviour capable of being considered as actions that may trigger the breach of this Ceasefire Agreement.

The RPNGC STRICTLY requires the following to be observed within the fighting zones within the Tsaka Valley and Middle Lai and Aiyal Valley areas as well as along the highway between Birip and Pombapus:

(iIV) No disturbances of any kind or form on highways and public roads;

(iIIV) No movement of armed men within the war zone or the neighbouring villages, whether or not they are actually harassing, or intimidating anyone directly or indirectly involved in tribal conflict;

(VII) No disorderly behaviour or use of provocative words or utterances which may breach the peace or incite disturbance or cause disharmony.