The long-standing Bawku conflict has taken a dangerous turn following a strongly worded statement made by a Mamprusi faction during a recent press conference held in the troubled municipality.
The group expressed deep frustration over what they describe as continued attacks by armed tribal bandits allegedly targeting Mamprusi travellers along the Bolgatanga–Bawku road.
According to the spokesperson, these attacks have led to the loss of innocent lives and remain unresolved despite the presence of military forces in the area.
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“If the government cannot remove the armed tribal bandits who block the Bolga-Bawku road to kill us, then they should withdraw the military from Bawku and give us one week to fight,” the spokesperson declared.
“There won’t be a single Kusasi there; we are more dangerous than desert snakes.”
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The statement, which has since gone viral, has drawn serious concern from the public, human rights advocates, and security analysts, with many warning that such rhetoric could incite ethnic violence and further destabilize the already fragile peace in Bawku.
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The conflict between the Mamprusi and Kusasi ethnic groups in Bawku spans decades and centres around issues of chieftaincy, political recognition, and control over local governance.
Though the government has deployed military and police personnel in an attempt to maintain order, recent incidents including road ambushes and targeted killings have reignited tensions.
In response to the statement, national security officials have yet to issue a formal comment, but sources within the Upper East Regional Security Council (REGSEC) have indicated that the situation is under review, with additional reinforcements being considered to ensure the safety of all civilians in the area.
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Civil society groups and traditional leaders have called for calm and urged all factions to resort to dialogue and legal processes rather than inflammatory threats and violence.
The government is being urged to investigate the claims made by both sides, ensure equal protection for all communities, and hold perpetrators of violence accountable, regardless of ethnic background.
As tensions simmer, many in Bawku and across the country hope for a peaceful resolution to a conflict that has claimed too many lives and disrupted the social fabric of the region for far too long.
[…] Bawku Conflict: Mamprusi Youth Sends Message To The Government […]