Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Four Papua tribes agree to ceasefire

Posted at 22:58 on 15 November, 2007 UTC

Four Papuan tribes locked in conflict since last month have expressed their willingness to end the violence

The violence erupted in mid-October when Dani, Damal and Moni tribesmen attacked Amungme tribesmen in a nearby village.

So far eight people, including three Amungme and five Dani have been killed and some 30 others injured in sporadic clashes.

Mimika’s acting regent, Atanasius Allo Rafra, says the tribes have agreed a truce

to allow a government mediating team to continue the peace process.

More than 500 police officers and Army soldiers have been deployed in the area for the last three weeks.