Otumfuo Meets Kusaug Traditional Council to Mediate Bawku Conflict

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, is expected to meet the Kusaug Traditional Council in Kumasi today, Monday, June 30, 2025, as part of ongoing efforts to help resolve the protracted chieftaincy conflict in Bawku.

A statement from the Manhyia Palace dated Sunday, June 29, announced the planned meeting and called on all parties involved in the conflict to support the broader effort to restore peace in the Upper East Region town.

The latest meeting forms part of a series of quiet but high-level interventions Otumfuo has undertaken to mediate between the feuding factions, mainly the Mamprusi and Kusasi ethnic groups, whose dispute over traditional leadership has fuelled years of violence and insecurity.

In April this year, the Asantehene hosted a closed-door three-day session at the Manhyia Palace involving representatives from both sides, including the Bawku Naba, Abugrago Azoka II. That meeting, held under tight security, marked the first time in several years that leaders of both factions sat at the same table.

The Manhyia Palace-led process has received wide support from government officials and civil society actors.

President John Dramani Mahama, during a recent visit to the Jubilee House, commended Otumfuo’s efforts and recalled his earlier role in the Dagbon peace process. He expressed hope that a similar outcome could be achieved for Bawku.

While mediation efforts continue, the government has kept in place a night-time curfew in Bawku and surrounding communities. A ban on the carrying of arms remains in effect, and the military presence has been reinforced following attacks on security personnel.

According to the Ministry of the Interior, these operations are being supported by intelligence work and disarmament measures.

The Bawku conflict, rooted in colonial-era disagreements over traditional succession, has escalated in recent years. Gun violence, road ambushes, and the burning of homes and businesses have become frequent occurrences.

Monday’s engagement with the Kusang Traditional Council is expected to pave the way for further discussions with Mamprusi leaders and other affected groups.