Three communities burnt in Chereponi despite curfew, one feared dead

One person is feared dead in a fresh attack on three communities in the western part of Chereponi in the Northern Region where ethnic clashes have been raging since Monday.

The communities – Shidoti, Tigenga, and Kunajiku – which are currently under curfew due to the renewed clashes between Konkombas and Chokosis were alleged to have been torched by some Konkombas Friday at about 4:15am.

A member of the Northern Regional Security Council who spoke to 3news.com on condition of anonymity confirmed the latest attack which was reported by eyewitnesses barely 24 hours after a curfew was imposed on Chereponi, Saboba and surrounding areas.

Eyewitnesses told our correspondent that there was no security in the three areas where the latest attack occurred but added security personnel have since this morning been dispatched to the area to prevent reprisal.

The longstanding conflict between the Konkombas and the Chekosis was triggered on Monday, December 31, 2018, when a Konkomba man allegedly hit two male Chokosi youngsters who were returning from Mosque earlier that day.

Several homes in several communities in the area have from Monday to now been burnt.

Unconfirmed reports suggest six persons from both the Konkomba and Chokosi factions have been killed with various body parts cut off to show as proof to their leaders.

The development in the area caused the Interior Ministry to announce imposed curfew on Chereponi and Saboba areas where renewed clashes between two ethnic groups have been raging despite security presence.

The 4:00pm to 7:00am curfew was based on the advice of the Northern Regional Security Council following the violent clashes that have also seen several houses torched and caused some residents to flee.

Residents of the area are banned from carrying arms, ammunition or any offensive weapon.

“Any persons found with any arms or ammunition will be arrested and prosecuted,” the statement signed by the Interior Minister Ambrose Dery warned.