The Chief of Doba Traditional Council (DTC) and the entire Doba community have in a press release, disassociate themselves from the recent clash between Fulani Herdsmen and the people of Kandiga, on Thursday the 16th of June, 2022 at Akondoog.
Akondoog is a bush that Doba and Kolog share boundary but the clash was actually between some Kandiga people and the Fulani’s Herdsmen over the search for Doba animals to arrest and Dabo farmers to harm.
The spokesperson of the (DTC), Clement Anontarah in his address stated that the leader of the Akondoog clash was later attacked and killed at his residence. It was presumed that the killer came from Doba and that led to the invasion of Doba by the Kandigas in the most recent conflict, which led to the loss of lives and property.
The statement indicated that the areas affected by the conflict are Atabaaba, Abempingo, Akunkongo, Akurugo-Dabo and Azaase-Atosale, all are part of Doba not Kandiga. The High Court ruling on 30th March 2021 affirms this position. Kandiga is 6 kilometers north of the junction wrongly named “Kandiga Junction”, and therefore any attack on the aforementioned communities is an attack on the Doba and not Kandiga.
The statement added that it appreciated the professionalism of the military personnel stationed there at the start of the conflict in April 2020, however, it doubted the neutrality of the current personnel there given the prevailing situation of harassment, intimidation, beatings, extortion from unarmed and defenceless Doba natives on the ground.
The unfortunate development that has bedevilled the two communities latterly, comes at the back of the 27th March 2020 when the notice came that a Police Post and CHPS compound were under construction on a portion of Doba land called Azaase-Atosale and Abenpingo, but to be named as Kandiga Police Station and Kandiga CHPS Compound respectively.
The statement said it is significant to note that, the initiator of the Project were Kandiga settlers, who failed the acknowledge the authority of the Doba Chief and Tindanas, they promptly responded by writing a petition to the relevant authorities, expressing their disapproval, of such a move since their consent was not sought, with several follow-ups to no avail until the violent clash broke out.
They made it clear that the High Court of Justice in Bolgatanga on the 30th of March, 2021 affirmed the decision of the District Colonial Court, Navrongo that, the land in contention by the Kandiga settlers is part and owned by Doba and their Tindanas.
The statement called on the relevant authorities concerned and everyone to respect the ruling of the High Court and also take steps to implement the ruling immediately to forestall further bloodshed. The Minister of Interior to ensure the security personnel sent to the conflict area act professionally to protect lives and property.
Source: Emmanuel Akayeti