Story of a former combatant
Christopher Vane is a victim of the Bougainville Crisis. A former combatant, he was shot and wounded. The physical scars on his body remind him of the atrocities and mayhem of those years. Even though the Crisis is over, he continues to endure fear and insecurity. This is his story.
When I move around the village or even go to the garden, I am always suspicious that my enemies are watching me, said Christopher.
I get angry very quickly. Someone or even my family members aggrieve me, I grab a gun and threaten them with it. My children fear me the most. They don’t interact with me like father and children normally do.
Occasionally, ex-combatants fire their guns in the air. I grab my gun and quickly take my family to take cover or hide. This random firing of guns by former combatants brings fear into the lives of people and restricts their freedom of movement.
In 2017, members of the local Torokina District Peace and Security Committee (DPSC) approached me. Knowing my history, they asked me if they could mediate my case. I was overwhelmed with joy and tears started to fall from my eyes. I told them that I had been waiting for this moment and I agreed to their proposal. In April 2018, I finally reconciled with the person who shot me.
After the public reconciliation ceremony in Torokina, the burden of insecurity and fear that has plagued me for years was finally gone. My enemy has now become my close friend. Even my children have become closer to me then ever before. The community has totally changed and you won’t hear anymore gun shots now. I have joined the ward committee to round up remaining guns and ammunition. Together with the Torokina DPSC, we are planning to dispose of all weapons before referendum.
Positive changes are now taking place within my family. We are helping each other with developmental projects. For example, if one family needs help in transporting their cocoa nursery seedlings, we’ll all chip in and help. Just today, we had a family meeting about income earning opportunities – this is something that we didn’t do before. We are planning together for our future.
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