STATEMENT RELEASED TO THE PRESS BY THE Abudu Royal Family On The Dagbon Peace Process AT MANHYIA PALACE, KUMASI ON MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2008 END OF THE ROAD MAP TO PEACE AND MATTERS ARRISING THEREOF
It is with deep regret and sadness that we, representatives of the Abudu Royal Family, wish to inform the good people of Dagbon and all peace loving Ghanaians that the Road Map to Peace has reached a dead-end. The Andani Royal Family has decided to frustrate the only credible avenue for reconciliation and has chosen the path of deceit, vengeance and retribution.
In light of the current posture and behavior of members of the Andani Gate towards the work of the Committee of Eminent Chiefs, we call on the three eminent chiefs and the Government to reconsider the gains accrued to the Andani Royal Family as a result of the Road Map to Peace. A rejection of the Road Map to Peace by the Andani Gate should be considered as complete and absolute rejection. Consequently, any act emanating from the Road Map should be declared null and void. The Andani Royal Family cannot continue to benefit from the very document that they now reject and denigrate. We, therefore, wish to state that we no longer recognize the first son of the late Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II as the substantive Regent of Dagbon. All powers reserved for him under the Road Map to Peace Agreement shall cease to be operational in the current circumstances.
The Abudu Royal Family wishes to add our voice in calling for the arrest and prosecution of all suspects in the killings of human beings during the three-day conflict in March 2002. We believe in the sanctity of life and that all men are created equal. The lives of the Ya-Na and his elders were just as precious as the lives of Mahama Dawuni (alias Tienbil-lana); Dahamani Iddi; and Shahadu Sibidow, all members of the Abudu Gate. We call on Government to immediately arrest and prosecute all those individuals suspected of playing a role leading to their deaths. The Wuaku Commission hearing revealed that Lawyer Ibrahim Mahama of Tamale, Bashiru Gima, and Mohammed Red were suspected of playing key roles in the events leading to the killings of Messer’s Dawuni, Iddi, and Sibidow. Government should prosecute these three persons under due process of the laws of Ghana to bring justice and closure to the families of the deceased.
The Abudu Royal Family will continue to pursue all avenues available for the ultimate performance of the final funeral rites of the late Ya-Na Mahamadu Abudulai. The family is committed to the realization of sustainable peace in the Dagbon Traditional Area and is ready to join our cousins from the Andani Royal Family if and when they decide to recommit to the agreements negotiated under the Road Map to Peace. It is our fervent conviction that the Road Map to Peace Agreement, though not perfect, is the best and credible way forward for lasting peace in Dagbon.
