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.