My attention has been drawn to the above development following two incidents allegedly connected to the Bawku crisis in the Walewale constituency. While I reiterate my earlier condemnation of attack on travelers in and around Walewale I wish to emphatically state that the decision was poorly made and politically motivated and provides no solution to the underlying problem.
Firstly, the Interior Ministry together with the Ministry of Defense consulted with MPs from the Bawku area without extending an olive branch to those of us equally affected in this matter. This is clearly a decision that does not seek to foster peace but an attempt to use state power to unjustifiably punish innocent civilians.
Secondly, if the government was minded and sincerely believe that curfew was the best security measure at the moment, it ought to have covered area such as Binduri, Ziblila, Garu and all the areas where there have been attacks of travelers, to and from Bawku, surprisingly under military escort. Between December 2021 till date there have been at least 25 attacks in these areas, 3 of which occurred in the last one month. The selective application of this security measure suggests that the lives of travelers to and from Bawku do not matter.
Thirdly, a reasonable security measure would have been an enhancement of patrol of the highway and escort of travelers. Half of the police and military personnel that will be used to enforce this curfew would have provided the security for travelers and businesses.
Fourthly, this preconceived plan was exposed when the military without any provocation innocently brutalized civilians on the 15th January 2025. Even though the military later on apologized, the recent atrocities against civilians by military is clearly not only unlawful but distasteful and in bad faith. In the last two days, the military have tortured any person on sight in Kukua, Loagri, Walewale, Gbimsi and Wulugu communities leading to the loss of one life and several others maimed. I shall liaise with families of the deceased and other victims to use all legal means to seek justice for them.
Lastly , the decision to impose the curfew and communication from the Interior Minister to convey same suggest that the people of Walewale are those responsible for the attacks. This is clearly a deliberate misunderstanding of the situation. To further suggest that guns are carried by people of Walewale is unfortunate. It is true that some people are using the poor security situation to stage attacks, but the people of Walewale ought not to take the punishment for the failure of security to fish out those responsible.
Let me however appeal to the public and people of Walewale to help the security services to maintain peace in the area. Clearly, violence should have no place in our society and cooperation with the security agencies is key to fostering peace and stability.
I wish to also appeal to the Interior Ministry to review this decision and engage comprehensively to achieve the common goal of peace and stability. Any forceful implementation of this measure will create animosity and anger which could further fuel the crisis in Bawku.
Thank you.
Mahama Tiah Abdul-Kabiru, PhD
(MP, Walewale )
