Konkombas, Anufors call for truce

The leadership of the Konkombas and their colleagues from the Chokos side in the Northern Region have called for peace in the wake of bloody clashes that resulted in at least three deaths, several injuries and the torching of scores of houses.

At a joint news conference at the Northern Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) on Monday, 7 January 2019, the representatives of the Konkomba Youth Association and the Anufor Youth Association vehemently condemned the ethnic clashes between the two ethnic groups.

They described the incident as unfortunate and bemoaned the havoc caused by the conflict. The repercussions of the conflict, they said, could jeopardise the future of the children in the area.

The spokesperson for the two groups, Daniel Torbei, told the media that it was wise to end the fighting for the common good of the people.

He appealed to both Anufors and Konkombas to shelve their differences since they are one people and commended the Regional Security Council and the Regional Minister for stemming the tide of the conflict.

"We want to call on our people, Anufors and Konkombas on both sides of the conflict, as a matter of urgency, to have confidence in the atmosphere of peace that the government is trying to promote and also to lay down their arms and calm down," he stated.

For his part, a former Northern Regional Minister, Mr Moses Bukari Mabengba assured the people of his unflinching support to ensure a lasting resolution to the impasse.

Mabengba suggested that the Northern Regional Security Council (REGSEC) facilitate a trip to the conflict areas with the support of the leadership of both groups. He believes when the people in the affected communities see their leaders together, it would cement the peace that they desire.

He challenged the Regional Security Council to punish any culprit who will foment trouble after the mediation process.

"I think that people must be punished and punished well. Because people are not punished, they think that they can just do anything and get away," Mr Mabengba stated.

Additionally, a former Member of Parliament (MP) for Chereponi, Imoro Sanda, re-echoed the need for peaceful coexistence and said the people should lay down their arms and allow calm to be restored.

The former legislator also appealed to the Konkombas in the Chereponi district to open all the link roads they have blocked. He said the Chokosis find it difficult to commute to other areas of the country.

Meanwhile, the Northern Regional Minister, Mr Salifu Saeed said the government would do everything possible to find a lasting solution to the conflict.

He revealed that the government will put in place measures to have inhabitants who fled to neighbouring Togo return home.