Peter Lanchene Toobu, the Member of Parliament for Wa West, has called for harmony between the Lassia-Tuolu and Kendeu communities.
This appeal follows a tragic incident on June 15, where three individuals died and several others sustained injuries of varying degrees after a confrontation between residents of Kendeu and Lassia Tuolu in the Wa West District of the Upper West Region.
The deaths occurred amid a shootout sparked by a dispute over traditional practices between the opposing groups in the two towns. Authorities have conducted multiple arrests and have stationed substantial security forces in the vicinity.
In a statement released on June 16, Mr Toobu said, “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.”
He praised the police, military, and other security bodies for their prompt intervention.
“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.
Mr Toobu offered his condolences to the bereaved families and hoped for a swift recovery for those injured.
“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.”
He also advised 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.
Credit: myjoyonline.com