Nanumbas set the tone for peace

For about ten years, chieftaincy feuding factions among Nanumbas in the Northern Region have met in a bid broker peace among themselves for the first time.

The people have not seen peace in Nanumba North, following the deaths of two chiefs in the area, Nakpa Na Dawuni Salifu, who died a natural death on June 2013 and yet to be interned. The body is currently at the morgue of the Tamale Teaching Hospital.

The other Chief, Bimbila Na Dasana Andani, was murdered by unknown assailants on March 2013 at his palace. The perpetuators are yet to be to be apprehended.

The West African Network for Peace,(WANEP) Northern Regional Peace Council and CARE International facilitated the peace dialogue in Tamale in Northern Region.

The feuding factions travelled in the same bus for the dialogue. They comprised both the elders and youth.

Addressing the participants, the Northern Regional Executive of Peace Council, Rev. Fr. Thaddeus Kuusaah said he was impressed both faction were interested in peace and urged them to influence their people in Bimbilla to embrace it.

He pointed out that in peace building, sometimes the people they represent at the meeting may not agree with the outcome because of their entrenched positions.

Presenting a group report, Muhammed Ibrahim said they have resolved to do away with the mistrust among them in order to foster unity and brotherhood among themselves.

Secretary of the Regent of Bimbilla, Alhassan Sualisu, said despite their differences in chieftaincy conflict, there was the need for them to foster unity as a family of the same ethnic group.

He said the issue of the chieftaincy conflict is before the Supreme Court, adding that they will welcome the decision of the court.

Coordinator of WANEP, Albert Yelyang, said the dialogue was also aimed at ensuring an enabling environment for sustainable agricultural improvement in the area.

He said the most of the people are farmers and they can only go about their work if there is peaceful atmosphere.

Bimbilla has been under a curfew for the past three years after the murder of the overlord of the area, Na Dasna Andani.