Despite recent violent incidents causing tensions to rise in Bawku and surrounding areas, Member of Parliament for Zebilla, Cletus Avoka, has rejected calls for a state of emergency.
Following the return of a rival chief to Bawku, tensions escalated and eventually resulted in clashes and an ambush that resulted in the tragic deaths of eight travellers. To prevent additional violence, security forces have increased their presence in the areas that have been impacted.
To respond to the outbreak, the government enforced a 6 a.m. The store is open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. A curfew was imposed on Bawku and the surrounding areas on the evening of Monday, October 28.
Cletus Avoka warned against the declaration of a state of emergency, stating that it would have a major impact on the upcoming December elections campaign.
A state of emergency has not been declared at this point. We are currently in an election year. In just a month or less, elections will be taking place. During a state of emergency, individuals do not have the freedom to exercise their human rights as they normally would.
They may not host rallies, they may not convene for meetings, they may not journey long distances. There are some things that they are not allowed to do. As a result, their freedom has been taken away.
As a result, they may not have the opportunity to campaign before holding the elections. I do not believe that the government is justified in declaring a state of emergency at this time.
