Jarmila Jackson, Features Writer

Two children join adults in a prayer for peace at the signing of a ceasefire treaty at the University of the West Indies Bowl on Tuesday evening. Gunmen in August Town, St Andrew, have agreed to a five-year truce. - Nathaniel Stewart/Freelance Photographer

The fanfare sparked by the trumpets, drums and cymbals of the St Patrick's Marching Band and ceremonial handshaking seemed like a surreal respite from the pall of fear which has gripped the volatile community of August Town.

On Tuesday evening, eight leaders of the eastern St Andrew com-munity, which has haemorrhaged from years-long bloody turf conflicts between rival gangs, inked a monumental peace treaty expected to last for five years.

Gang areas

The gangs are based in Goldsmith Villa, African Gardens, Jungle 12, Bedward Gardens and Judgement Yard, largely impoverished areas teeming with unemployed youths.

Despite a controversial rider to the agreement - allowing the gangs to keep their guns - residents and other stakeholders in the peace process have expressed optimism about the future. The pact bans illegal gun salutes and commits to a cessation of hostilities.

At the signing ceremony, a single mother, who preferred to remain anonymous, was full of glee.

"Oh God, mi want this fi last," said the teary-eyed woman, cradling her four-year-old daughter in her arms.

Forced to pull her child out of school since April because of violence, she believes the ceasefire could return normality to their lives.

The Reverend Dr E. Curtis, chairman of the Greater August Town Ministers' Fraternal, said the truce would have a big impact on the community.

"This is something that the community of August Town has needed for a long time," he said in his address to the crowd gathered in the stands of the University of the West Indies Bowl, site of the peace pact.

Among the attendees were Deputy Commissioner of Police Mark Shields; Peace Management Initiative board member, Horace Levy; principal of the UWI, Prof Gordon Shirley; and Prof Barry Chevannes.

Kenneth Wilson, coordinator of the Greater August Town Transformation Programme, credits one of the community's 'corner leaders' for insisting that the accord be signed publicly as a symbol of their commitment to the people.

"One hand has to wash the other; it is up to the leaders and the community to work together. There is substance to this, otherwise we would not have agreed to this kind of gathering," said Wilson, who is also president of the citizens' association.

"We will honour our commitment for the people, we have to honour the wishes of the people," he added.

Peace deal

1. All persons are allowed to move freely across all boundaries regardless of reputation or affiliation.

2. No gun salute or any other shooting is to take place in the community for a period of at least five years.

3. Corner leaders have a responsibility to guide and counsel their mentees, urging them to abhor domestic violence, theft, extortion, carnal abuse, rape and other crimes.