SUMMARY

Although the fighting between Akibu and Tonakau has persisted since the 1980s, it is unclear how the conflict began. In 1999, the violent flare-ups were more fatal than previous skirmishes.

In 1999, a peace agreement was brokered by the then current national Parliament member of Kainantu, Baki Reipa. However, fighting erupted the following year again between Akibu and Tonakau. Numerous tribesmen perceived they had been unjustly treated in the allocation of money distributed as part of the peace agreement, leading to renewed conflict.

The fights and shootings have been carried out with high-powered weapons, including hand grenades, rocket launchers, rifles and homemade guns.

The violence has remained locally in the district of Kainantu, near the residences of both Akibu and Tonakau.

The non-state conflict between Akibu and Tonakau was first included in UCDP data in 1999. In March of that year violent clashes in terms of shooting flared up in the Kainantu district, resulting in almost 60 deaths.