The Member of Parliament (MP) for Wa West, Peter Lanchene Toobu, has appealed for an end to the conflict between the communities of Lassia Tuolu and Kendeu.
The appeal comes in the wake of a tragic incident where three individuals died, and several others sustained injuries of varying degrees following a confrontation between the residents of Kendew and Lassia Tuolu in the Wa West District of the Upper West Region on June 15.
The fatalities occurred during an exchange of gunfire between feuding factions from the two communities, reportedly over ritual practices.
In a press statement issued on June 16, Mr Toobu emphasised that the real adversaries should be poverty, disease, and ignorance.
“This inter-community disagreement between the good people of Lassia Tuolu and Kendeu that erupted into violent attacks with recorded fatalities on the 15th of June 2024 is unfortunate, to say the least.
“I am strongly appealing to the feuding parties to give peace a chance. No conflict can be resolved through the use of lethal or non-lethal force. Excessive anger has no place in conflict resolution. Let’s allow cool heads to reign,” he implored.
“No conflict can be resolved through the use of lethal or non-lethal force; excessive anger has no place in conflict resolution.
“Let’s allow cool heads to prevail, my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased persons. I wish the injured and wounded a speedy recovery, may this never be repeated anywhere in the Wa West district, we love the peaceful co-existence we’ve enjoyed over the years.
“Brothers and sisters, if there is any battle to fight we should unite against poverty, let’s fight against ignorance and underdevelopment,” he said.
He also urged the media and the public to exercise caution to avoid spreading misinformation about the incident and to seek verification from reliable sources before reporting, to avert further conflict.
Read the full statement below;
KENDEU AND LASSIA-TUOLU CONFLICT
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen of the media.
I have had friendly encounters with the media in the past three years since assuming office as the Member of Parliament representing the good people of Wa West. Unfortunately, today’s meeting is on a very sad note where lives have been lost in an inter-community conflict.
This inter-community disagreement between the good people of Lassia Tuolu and Kendeu that erupted into violent attacks with recorded fatalities on the 15th of June 2024 is unfortunate, to say the least .
I want to commend the Police, military, and other security agencies in the region for the timely response.
I am strongly appealing to the feuding parties to give peace a chance.
No conflict can be resolved through the use of lethal or non-lethal force. Excessive anger has no place in conflict resolution. Let’s allow cool heads to reign.
My deepest condolences to the families of the deceased persons. I wish the injured and wounded a speedy recovery. May this never be repeated anywhere in the district. We love the peaceful co-existence we have enjoyed over the years.
Brothers and sisters, if there is any battle to fight, we should unite to fight against poverty, deprivation, ignorance, and under-development.
Let me urge you in the media and the general public to be cautious of misinformations regarding this issue and verify facts from the appropriate quarters before publication to prevent escalations.
I also entreat all to support the return of peace between the feuding parties in Lassia-Tuolu and Kendeu.
God bless us all.
Thank you.
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