The National Muslim Conference (NMC) has charged the military detailed to ensure peace in the wake of Bawku conflict to be tactful at their work and be humane in handling the volatile situation.
The conflict in the Upper East regional town has claimed lives and destroyed properties running into thousands of cedis.
The National Muslim Conference in a statement on Tuesday said it is saddened by the development in Bawku, noting that the destruction was avoidable.
“More worrying is that the feuding factions in Bawku share the commonalities of Gbewaa Ancestry, civilized humanity, and Islamic loyalty.
“They are, in fact, cousins, and most of them are Muslims who – by the common faith of Islam – should not have, in any circumstance, raised up arms against one another,” the statement issued by Dr. Mohammed Marzuq Abubakari Azindoo, Chairman of the NMC Publicity Committee, observed.
The conference also called on all combatants to silence the guns and allow a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
Read the full statement below
Press Statement on the conflict in Bawku
The National Muslim Conference (NMC) is saddened by the avoidable loss of lives and property following the resurgence of the chieftaincy conflict in Bawku in the Upper East Region of Ghana.
We are worried that the renewed clashes show no sign of control. More worrying is that the feuding factions in Bawku share the commonalities of Gbewaa Ancestry, civilized humanity, and Islamic loyalty. They are, in fact, cousins, and most of them are Muslims who – by the common faith of Islam – should not have, in any circumstance, raised up arms against one another.
From the perspectives of Sociology and Anthropology, it is understandable for cousins to encounter a fraternal feud. But when the feud degenerates into a violent conflict of unspeakable destruction, it becomes a matter of national concern.
It is for this reason that we call on:
* All combatants to silence the guns and allow a peaceful resolution of the conflict
* The government to use all conflict resolution and peace building mechanisms – within its disposal – to restore normalcy to Bawku
* The military contingent on peace mission in the conflict zone to be tactful and humane in handling the volatile situation
* The leadership and people in the conflict area to cooperate with the military and other security agencies in search for lasting peace
* The media to be reconciliatory in their reportage on and analysis of the conflict.
Also, His Eminence the National Chief Imam, Chair of the Governing Body of the NMC, and members appeal to political actors in the area to value the sanctity of human life and never to exploit human suffering for partisan gains. After all, electoral fortunes, in a state of insecurity and instability, are decorated misfortunes that are counter-productive to democratic order and good governance.
In conclusion, we believe that restoration of peace to Bawku is a collective responsibility of Ghanaians. We, therefore, urge the citizenry to
use this conflict as an opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to the values of PEACE instead of violence, UNITY instead of division, FORGIVENESS instead of vindictiveness, and RECONCILIATION instead of aggression.
May Allah restore peace to Bawku and bless our homeland Ghana. Ameen
Signed
Dr. Mohammed Marzuq Abubakari Azindoo
Chairman of the Publicity Committee
Email Address: azindoo200@ferdinard