NPP, NDC dialogue on disbanding militias: What to expect

The two biggest opposition parties are expected to meet the National Peace Council Tuesday to begin peace talks following continuous acts of politically-motivated violence.

The discussion, which was proposed by President Nana Akufo-Addo, is expected to focus on disbanding the trained and organised youth groups who carry out the acts of violence for them.

The directive was given almost two months ago when Akufo-Addo asked the leaders of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to meet…“next week.”

The President gave the directive after the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election descended into violence when armed men stormed the opposition NDC candidate’s residents.

But arguments over the modalities of such a meeting – and whether it is even necessary –  have stalled the talks until now. The NDC believes the President is cloaked with the power to end hooliganism.

The NDC insists that contrary to the wishes of the President, the NPP and the NDC must not dialogue alone.

They want civil society groups, other political parties and if possible international peace groups to be part of the dialogues.

It is expected that when they meet the National Peace Council Tuesday, the said request would be trumpeted even louder than before.

The NDC has also accused the government of assimilating its youth groups, also called militia groups, into the state’s security forces.

The opposition party says the only plausible way for headway to be made would be for the otherwise unqualified personnel to be identified and yanked out of the state’s forces.

On the part of the governing NPP, they have expressed some reservation about the extent of “the extent of the stakeholder engagements, and which stakeholders should be invited, especially because they (the NDC) also suggested that some international organization including the ECOWAS and AU be involved,” the party said.

However, both parties have committed to meet the National Peace Council to begin the deliberations on disbanding the militia groups.

credit: myjoyonline.com