The Member of Parliament for Binduri in the Upper East region, Issifu Mahmoud, has warned that the success of the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s mediation efforts in the volatile Bawku area could be at risk if the government fails to deploy sufficient military personnel to stabilize the region.
Speaking on JoyNews Desk on Monday, Mr. Mahmoud highlighted growing security concerns in Binduri, a district heavily impacted by the ongoing Bawku conflict. He stressed that while he has consistently called for peace, maintaining order has become increasingly difficult due to the lack of an adequate military presence.
“I have consistently called for calm and advised my constituents not to take the law into their own hands. At the same time, I have appealed to those responsible, particularly the state security forces, to ensure that we receive adequate protection in the area,” he said.
Drawing from his extensive background in law enforcement and peacekeeping, Mr. Mahmoud emphasized that words alone would not resolve the volatile situation in Binduri.
“Having served in the police service for many years and participated in various peacekeeping operations, I am deeply concerned that without enough military personnel deployed in Binduri, and in other potentially affected districts, the outcome of Otumfuo’s peace mediation process may not yield the desired results,” he warned.
He further pointed out that the success of any peace mediation effort largely depends on stability on the ground. Without a visible and effective military presence, the peace process may struggle to gain the necessary momentum.
“In Binduri, expecting positive results from the peace mediation process will be incredibly difficult if the situation on the ground remains unstable. We need to secure the area and restore calm before we can expect any meaningful progress in Otumfuo’s peace mediation,” Mr. Mahmoud explained.
He called for urgent military intervention in Binduri and neighboring districts, warning that without this, the peace mediation process could continue to face significant setbacks.
“This is my view regarding the peace mediation process if we don’t deploy military in Binduri,” he concluded.
The Bawku conflict, rooted in longstanding ethnic and chieftaincy disputes, has led to periodic flare-ups, resulting in casualties, displacement, and heightened security concerns. On Sunday, April 13, three people were killed, including two young police officers.