Bombande: No alternative to dialogue in Bawku debacle

Emmanuel Bombande There is no alternative to dialogue in the Bawku debacle, a member of the National Peace Council, and security expert, Emmanuel Bombande has declared. The Upper East Regional Municipality has been scarred with violent ethnic clashes between the Kusasis and the Mamprusis which has left dozens dead, and still counting. Six more deaths were recorded Sunday after an ambushed killing triggered a new wave of violence. The Regional Security Council increased curfew hours from 13:00 GMT- 6:00 GMT, with the National Peace Council dispatched to the area in an attempt to calm nerves and restore peace. In an interview with Joy News’ Stephen Anti, Emmanuel Bombande noted dialogue has not been optimized. He said the conflict resolution mechanism has been truncated by sporadic shooting and killing which in most cases retarded the progress made. Describing the latest violence as setback, the security expert said the more the feuding factions are made to dialogue, the aggrieved persons are more likely to deal with the pain of the loss and find the necessary compromise. In line with that, he said a Bawku Peace Committee has been instituted with representatives from all the ethnic groups in the Municipality to ensure more dialogue. Meanwhile, the National Peace Council has temporarily suspended peace talks in Bawku to make way for the dead to be buried. Osiadeayor Ekumfi Ameyaw, Omanhene for the Techiman Traditional Area and a member for the Council said they have to “solidarize” with the deceased, hoping when the burial ceremony is concluded peace talks can begin. He denied reports of boycott by one of the factions, and hoped the curfew situation will be relaxed in the coming days to facilitate the work of the council. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana