Vigilantism beyond the reach of political parties, government - Ibn Chambas

United Nations Secretary General's Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel Dr. Ibn Chambas has said that the seeming resilience of political vigilantism goes beyond the capacity of political parties and government alone.

He maintained that there is the need for partnerships in addressing what he described as a “phenomenon which is dimensional in both cause and effect.”

He was speaking at an agenda by the Foreign Affairs on the theme, “Build Partnerships for Peace in West Africa and the Sahel: Challenges and Opportunities.”

Meanwhile, Ghana’s two major political parties have agreed that vigilantism must be eradicated from the democratic system since it is “inimical” to it.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) came to the agreement after an “open” and “exhaustive” deliberation mediated by the National Peace Council (NPC) in Accra.

For a complete abolition of vigilantism Dr. Chambas proposed that the issue of vigilantism calls for national efforts involving multiple partnerships incorporating the government, political parties, security agencies, the judiciary, the media communities, civil society and indeed, the deployment of Ghana’s national architecture for peace, including the crucial role of traditional and religious leaders and national and sub-national institutions.

On the side, Dr. Ibn Chambas commended President Akufo-Addo and the erstwhile president John Mahama for taking the initiative of leading their political parties to work together to end the phenomena of vigilantism “before it turns into a monster that can no longer be controlled.”

He further indicated that partnerships with other West African states, and with regional organizations are essential for Ghana to ensure territorial integrity adding that the potential spread of terrorist-related activities in neighbouring countries demonstrates the need for partnership in addressing insecurity.

To this effect, the Diplomant substantiated that Ghana should go beyond the proverb “when a neighbour’s beard catches fire, be wise to keep water close by yours.”

Instead, he suggested that “Ghana should actively help the neighbour to dowse the flames blazing in his beard” commending the recent gathering of Cote d’Ivoire convened by President Akufo-Addo which he said is “illustrative of such partnership at the leadership level.”