We don’t have 100% peace in Yendi – MCE

Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) and Chairman of Security Council for the Yendi municipality Hon Zakaria Issah has downplayed the growing thinking that peace has returned to the area after a long period of chieftaincy strife which has claimed many lives.

According to the MCE, the relaxed nature of the Dagbon crisis should not be translated to mean absolute peace and that there were still issues of security concerns in the area.

There is currently a fragile peace in Yendi Township and its environs following a gruesome murder of a late overlord of the Dagbon Kingdom- Ya-Naa Yakubu Andani II.

The two factions have since engaged themselves in several gun duels forcing the state to deploy permanent troops to the area to ensure peace.

Ultimate news’ Eliasu Tanko reports that residents are now said to be leaving in fears especially following threats by the Abudu gate to forcibly occupy the old Gbewaa Palace to perform the funeral rites of their late royal Naa Mahamadu Abdallai IV despite the case being under mediation by some four eminent chiefs headed by the Asantehene Otumfour Osei Tutu II

Hon. Zakaria said the persistent demand by the Abudu family for access to the old Gbewaa palace in the long standing Dagbon kingship dispute is a security threat and has the potential to renew further clashes.

“There is peace but not total peace; total peace because the major problem is the performance of these funerals and from that time the issues come up so with that I can confidently tell you that we don’t have 100% peace. Anytime this issues come up that’s where you hear a lot of rumors- people piling arms, people trying to attack, that’s when you see the security running helter skelter and so much pressure on the assembly,” he said.

Speaking exclusively to Ultimate News, the MCE however appealed to the people especially the two feuding factions to “play down” their personal interests for the sake of peace and development of the area

Hon. Issah entreated the rival family to try and reach a compromise for the collective interest of peace in the Dagbon but also warned the security will clampdown on any group of individuals found disturbing the volatile security in the area