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.
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| Hausa/Fulani/Aku/Mbororo Communities |
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| 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.
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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