Dagbon peace talks stall after Abudus no-show

The latest meeting aimed at uniting the two factions in the age-long ethnic conflict in Dagbon ended inconclusively at the Manhyia Palace on Saturday, January 30.

This was due to the absence of the Abudu gate, who sent a messenger to the Asantehene-led committee.

The message from the Abudu representative, Alahji Adam, was not made known but the committee assured that the next meeting will see a full representation of that gate.

The situation left most Dagbon residents who had trooped to the Palace to receive a positive outcome from the mediation disappointed, our correspondent said.

The last time both gates – Abudus and Andanis – appeared before the mediation committee was on December 6, 2015, on which day it was agreed that funerals of Ya-Na Abdulai Mohammadu and Ya-Na Yakubu Andani be performed in January 2016 to pave way for the installation of a new overlord for Dagbon in February.

But a litigation surrounding the Gbewaa palace as venue for the funeral rites of the late Ya-Na Abdulai Mohammadu stalled the December agreement.

Northern Region Minister Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed expressed confidence thar the committee of eminent chiefs would be able to address the protracted Dagbon chieftaincy dispute within the shortest possible time.

He also debunked perception that political interference was delaying the peace process.