REGSEC Meets Abudu, Andani Gates Over Burial Plans

The Northern Regional Security Council has engaged the Abudu and Andani gates regarding the Dagbon chieftaincy conflict.

The meeting with the two gates, Mahamadu Abdulai and Yakubu Andani comes days before the organization of the funerals for the late overloads of Dagbon.

Decades of chieftaincy dispute which escalated into full-blown conflict in 2002 left the two families divided, the Ya-Na Yakubu Andani murdered with properties destroyed.

There has since been an uneasy calm with attempts by successive governments to restore peace in the area.

A committee of eminent chiefs led by the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II was constituted shortly after the 2002 debacle to find a lasting solution to the crisis.

A commission of enquiry also recommended the prosecution of two persons who were deemed to have played a role in the 2002 conflict.The two were later acquitted and discharged.

After almost 12 years of mediation, the committee of eminent chiefs presented a roadmap for peace last month- one that involved the organization of the funerals, first for the Abudu leader Mahamudu Abdulai on December 14 then for that of the Andani leader Yakubu Andani.

With few days to the organization of the first funeral, there are fears there could be violence with sections kicking against the roadmap.

Already, the Regent of Dagbon Kampakuya- Naa Abdulai Yakubu Andani has raised issues of bias against the Eminent traditional leaders.

Tuesday’s meeting with the two families was part of attempts by the Northern Region Security Council to ensure there is peace ahead of the funerals

Joy News’ Northern Region correspondent Martina Bugri reports a good number of the residents are happy the funerals for the two overlords are about to be performed.

One, Mahamadu Abdulai died for over 30 years now with Yakubu Andani dying in 2002, she said.

---Myjoyonline