The government of Ghana is rushing hundreds of army troops to the northern town of Bawku, where a long-simmering conflict between two ethnic groups over control of the local traditionalĀ chieftaincyĀ has exploded into open warfare. The fighting began in December,Ā when members of theĀ Mamprugu people installed a “parallel” chief, refusing to recognize the incumbentĀ chief from the Kusasi ethnicity.Ā Since then, some 30 local residents have been slaināmany civilians killed in ethnically targeted attacks.
The town lies just south of the border with violence-torn Burkina Faso, and authorities are concerned that jihadist insurgents will exploit the chaos in the zone to infiltrate into Ghana.Ā BawkuĀ is already swollen with someĀ 6,000 refugees who have fled terror attacks by militantsĀ inĀ Burkina Faso. (The Africa Report, BBC News Pidgin, VOA)
Photo via AfricaĀ Fest GH
