The Member of Parliament for Binduri, Issifu Mahmoud, has expressed optimism that the ongoing mediation process, led by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, will bring peace to Bawku.

Speaking on the JoyNews AM Show, Mr Mahmoud discussed the peace talks that officially began yesterday at the Manhyia Palace, where various factions involved in the Bawku conflict have gathered for the mediation talks, facilitated by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, in the hope of finding a lasting resolution to the years of violence that have plagued the area.

This renewed push for peace follows President John Mahama’s reaffirmation of the government’s commitment to supporting the Asantehene’s leadership in efforts to restore calm and unity in the Upper East Region.

Mr Mahmoud explained that the Bawku conflict has persisted due to past efforts which failed to address the root causes of the violence.

While there have been periods of peace, he noted that these efforts lacked the necessary measures to ensure long-term stability.

“The Bawku conflict has remained because we have not solved it or implemented sufficient measures to ensure that, once we resolve it, the peace is maintained,” he said.

“That’s why, even when we experience periods of peace, something always comes along to disrupt the peace process, and the conflict returns. It’s been a cycle of peace and conflict, back and forth, and that’s where we find ourselves now."

Mr Mahmoud stressed that the key to ending the violence lies in finding a permanent solution, rather than relying on the temporary fixes of the past that have failed to prevent the conflict from recurring.

“We need to find a lasting solution, not like what we have done in the past, where the conflict keeps occurring again and again,” he added.

“I believe this is one of the reasons the government has referred the matter to Otumfuo for mediation, to find a long-lasting resolution. I am confident that this Otumfuo-led mediation will bring lasting peace to Bawku,” he concluded.