The Chairman of the National Congress of the Fulbe Communities in Ghana and the Council of Elders, Professor Sheikh Osman Bari, has urged political parties and leaders to refrain from exploiting Fulani and Muslim communities as the country gears up for the 2024 general elections.
Speaking at a media briefing following the National Dialogue to Foster Unity within Fulbe Leadership in Ghana, Prof. Bari advised Fulani and Muslim communities to avoid being used to destabilize the peace of the country.
He expressed deep concern about the ongoing discrimination and attacks against Fulbe communities, which have led to loss of lives and livelihoods in some parts of Ghana. He also implored political parties to view Fulbe communities as partners, rather than troublemakers.
The national dialogue, initiated by the European Union, aimed to unify Fulbe leadership in Ghana and promote peaceful coexistence between the pastoralist Fulbe and other communities. The dialogue highlighted the need for a cohesive leadership structure within the Fulbe community to address long-standing issues, including land conflicts between pastoralists and farmers.
At the dialogue, Chief Iddris Bingle, President of the National Congress of Fulbe Communities in Ghana, announced that internal disunity among Fulbe leadership has come to an end. “We have agreed that the disunity among Fulbe leadership is now a thing of the past,” Chief Bingle stated, stressing that the unified leadership will address the concerns of the Fulbe.
The Fulbe leaders also called on the country’s security agencies to assess the threat posed by terrorists and armed bandits encroaching on transhumance corridors, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to protect Ghana’s borders and maintain national peace, especially in the lead-up to the elections.
Communiqué of the Fulbe Leaders’ National Dialogue
The five-day national dialogue concluded with the issuance of a communiqué outlining key resolutions and commitments of the Fulbe leadership:
Unity and Leadership: The Fulbe community has formed a unified leadership under the National Congress of Fulbe Communities (NCFC), which will serve as the highest decision-making body for the Fulbe in Ghana. This new leadership will work closely with the Government of Ghana, NGOs, and other stakeholders to address the welfare and concerns of the Fulbe.
Conflict Prevention and Mediation: The leadership recognizes the need for land-related mediation between Fulbe herders and farmers, particularly in conflict-prone areas. Successful local mediation efforts in regions like Bongo Soe and Ejura have demonstrated the potential for resolving tensions through dialogue, and the Fulbe leadership is committed to facilitating such efforts across the country.
Collaboration with State Security: The Fulbe community pledged to collaborate with security agencies to prevent the infiltration of armed groups and criminal elements. The leadership affirmed that they will not support any efforts that threaten the peace and stability of Ghana.
ECOWAS Protocol and Transhumance: The Fulbe leadership also committed to upholding the ECOWAS Protocol on Transhumance, which governs cross-border pastoralism, to ensure sustainable and peaceful relations with host communities. A structured exchange between the Fulbe leadership and local and national authorities will be established to address shared security concerns.
The dialogue, funded by the European Union through the European Resources for Mediation Support III (ERMES), also addressed the increasing security threats in the Sahel region and their potential impact on Ghana. The influx of Fulbe refugees from conflict-ridden areas of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, coupled with the pressures on pastoral lands, has heightened tensions between herders and local farmers.
However, with a unified leadership in place, the Fulbe leaders believe they are now better positioned to engage in dialogue, promote peace, and support national security efforts. They reiterated their commitment to preserving the peace and tranquility of Ghana.
The Fulbe leaders expressed their gratitude to the European Union for facilitating the unification dialogue and to Dr. Akibu Abdulai for his diplomatic efforts in guiding the process. They pledged to sustain their unity and work toward the peaceful coexistence of the Fulbe and other communities in Ghana.
The post Election 2024: Leaders of Fulbe communities call for unity and caution against political exploitation first appeared on 3News.
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