Gbi State to spell out conditions for return of Zongo members

The Chiefs and People of Gbi State, have said that the return of their Zongo compatriots would be subjected to a set of conditions being drafted by a 21-member standing committee.

In a statement read by Mr. Divine Morny, Secretary to the Committee, to the media, it emphasized that, “The return of our Zongo brothers and sisters would be based on circumstances to be agreed upon.”

It said the final document would have to be approved by the tripartite representatives, comprising the Gbi’s, Zongo Community and the Government, to pave way for peaceful co-existence.

It recommended the cessation of repair works on all property destroyed on both sides during the conflict until the conditions were finalized.

It said henceforth, all communication from and to the Gbi State should be channeled through Togbe Worde IV, Chief of Gbi-Kpeme.

Violence broke out on June 11 at Hohoe when some youth of the Zongo Community found the exhumed body of the local chief Imam at the roadside at the outskirt of the town after his burial on Sunday.

He was reportedly buried in defiance of a ban on the burial of members of the Zongo Community on Gbi Land.

The traditional authorities of Gbi imposed the ban after some Zongo youth vandalised the Hohoe Government Hospital and attacked some of its staff accusing them that their negligence had led to the death of their colleague, who was sent there to be treated for electrocution.

Reports say he was working in the vicinity of the hospital when the incident happened but staff on duty demanded his National Health Insurance card.

He however, died before the card arrived.

The conflict resulted in casualties and extensive damage to property on both sides.

Some members of the Zongo Community, especially, women and children fled to neighboring towns.

The town is under a curfew amidst heavy security monitoring.**