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WUM:COMMUNAL CLASHES ARE AVOIDABLE, STOP THEM.

Inter-communal violence and persistent attacks by extremists, continue to undermine peace and security across Wum municipality, in Menchum Division. The Senior Divisional Officer for Menchum Division, Abdoullahi Aliou, has warned the perpetrators of such acts on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, calling for sustained engagement with all partners to urgently advance a holistic approach to peace.

 


As the local and administrative authorities intensify peace talks across the board, Defense and Security forces are also intensifying counter-terrorism operations, and some communities have organized volunteer groups and self-defense militias for protection. 

“The growing linkages between terrorism, organized crime and inter-communal violence cannot be overemphasized”,  Abdoullahi Aliou said.

 “Terrorists continue to exploit latent ethnic animosities and the absence of total collaboration and cooperation between the population and Defense and Security forces for intelligence reports to commit atrocities and vamoose into thin air.” 

 He added, before urging both parties to remain committed to working with all partners, building national and institutional capacity, improving community resilience, and advocating for good governance, political inclusion, respect for human rights and adherence to the rule of law.

 

Hausa/Fulani/Aku/Mbororo Communities

Native Aghem Community

These fresh incidents between the Fulani/Aku/Mbororo/Fulani versus the Native Aghem, is only amplifying these conflict drivers, with grave implications for peace and security.  These inter-communal clashes that erupted in Wum over the past days, have greatly hampered the local economy, created social tension and driven some people from their homes, although the actual number might not be known.

Casualties

Fortunately, casualties from the fighting have not taken any lives, but have injured over 10 persons.

And some houses have reportedly been burned down by both parties and on both sides. 

In dire need

Along with the administrative authorities, Wum Council, Wum District Hospital, St Martin de Porres Catholic Health Center Wum and humanitarian partners, are rushing to deliver life-saving assistance.

The Wum District Hospital and St Martin de Porres Catholic Health Center, are rapidly scaling up their operations to assist affected people in Wum.

“Those wounded are in dire need of assistance. Some sustained minor injuries, but most have either broken heads or legs.

Efforts underway

In Wum, security forces have been deployed and disarmament operations are in progress.

Although few incidents have been reported during the past hours, tensions remain high.

However, the SDO for Menchum, Abdoullahi Aliou, reported that investigations cannot be carried out to ascertain what happened in the night of Sunday July 24th breaking Monday morning, when the four (4) corpses were found and where the clashes started, due to insecurity.

“The Defense and security Officers are engaged in the protection of both sides so as to avoid further reoccurrences. As soon as there is calm, investigations shall be reopened. Truth must be told and responsibilities assumed”, the SDO said.



 Day of violence

Clashes initially broke out on 26 July in Wum, following a macabre discovery of four (4) Fulani dead bodies, apparently three herders and a bike rider, in bushes after Lake Wum.

The farmer-grazer conflicts is exacerbating the competition for resources, especially grazing lands. Many reconciliation forums have been organized during which community representatives committed to end the violence.

“But without urgent action to address the root causes of the crisis, and implement the resolutions taken, the situation could escalate further”.

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