Refugees expect firm law enforcement in Poso

Refugees expect firm law enforcement in Poso

Jupriadi, The Jakarta Post, Poso, Central Sulawesi

After two years of subsisting in refugee camps, both the
Christian and Muslim communities, forced out of their homes
following sectarian conflict in Poso regency, are now expecting
the authorities to guarantee their security so they can return
home.

The refugees have been seeking a way to return home after the
government stopped their monthly allowance of Rp 45,000 (US$5)
per person and free meals last December.

For young couple -- Asma, 23, and Rintoe, 23 -- life in the
refugee camp is no longer easy as the government has stopped
providing aid. Their only reason to live is Rian, their six-month
old son.

"We have nothing but Rian. He is our reason to live," Asma
said in an interview with The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

Asma and her husband, Rintoe, have been living for two years
at the Kayamanya refugee camp in Tentena, the stronghold of
Christian communities, in Poso. Rian was born in the camp.

Rintoe and family and thousands of other Christians were
forced to leave their homes following the sectarian conflict in
May 2000, the third clash since 1998.

"At first, I was frustrated, knowing that I had to live
separately from my family. But after Rian was born, I thought
that I had to survive," said Asma.

The Christian refugees live in two camps, the Kayamanya camp
and the Festival Danau Poso camp, located in North Pamona
district's capital of Tentena, some 56 kilometers south of Poso.

Head of the North Pamona district Daniel Tobondo said there
were about 14,000 to 15,000 refugees in the district. The
refugees do not only live in Tentena, but also in 12 villages
including Kuku, Sangira, Sulewana, Saojo, Panjoka, Buyupondoli,
Mayakeli, Tonusu and Toinasa.

Daniel Topang, 43, a refugee in Tentena said he had to work
hard to survive. He lives in the camp with his wife Adolphina,
36, and five children.

"We do anything we can. The most important thing is that we
don't steal," he said, adding that his eldest son Filkianus, 18,
also contributed to the family income.

Daniel echoed Asma, saying that he could not expect
government assistance anymore.

Both families had a similar dream of a better life when the
warring groups of Muslim and Christian signed a peace deal in
December last year.

For them, the Malino peace deal signed on Dec. 20 has not
produced any tangible results and will only have any meaning if
it could encourage them to return home and live peacefully.

Unfortunately, the fragile peace has been disrupted by a
series of incidents in Lakalemba, the bomb blast in Poso Pesisir,
and a sadistic murder in Kayamanya.

The Muslim community who live in downtown Poso also feel the
same way. Djumail, 30, acknowledged he could do nothing after the
peace deal.

Djumail, his wife Nursiah, 25, and his three children have
been living in the refugee camp for the last three years. They
and nearly 100 families have remained at the camps.

An estimated 7,000 Muslim refugees live in various camps in
and around Poso. The camps are set up at the BP7 building, the
youth building, Kebon Rejo barrack, Moengko barrack, and Bone
Sompe barrack.

Djumail said he was afraid to return home because the
condition in Poso had not returned to normal yet.

"Six months after the Malino deal, peace has been restored in
the downtown area. But the situation in the villages remains
uncertain," he said.

La Sawedi, 40, a civil servant who used to live in Maengko
said he was still afraid to return home.

He hopes that the authorities can soon establish peace and
uphold the law. Without the assurance of security, he said, the
people would not dare to do business.

Apart from security matters, the refugees also expect
temporary housing to replace their houses, devastated during the
conflict.