25 Towns In Eastern Region Have Rival Chiefs

As many as 25 communities have so far been identified by the police as having rival chiefs in the Eastern Region. The situation, according to the Regional Police Command, has become a source of security concern. The Regional Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Akuriba Yaagy, who made this known, said as a result the police were expending more resources on policing durbars to prevent clashes, as well as intervening in clashes between factions. Details of the disputes are, however, being withheld for now for judicial reasons. Addressing the media, Mr Yaagy said the situation was affecting crime combat by the police to ensure peace in the communities and protection of all citizens. "Due to the division of communities along rival factions, it is usually extremely difficult, if not impossible, to rally round residents for community forums to discuss issues of crime, safety and security," Mr Yaagy stated. He expressed worry that such disturbances did not only threaten the peace but also development. "Investors sometimes feel reluctant to invest in such communities, since the acquisition of land might be problematic," he added. Intervention needed Mr Yaagy stated that the intervention of the National House of Chiefs was needed to settle those disputes so as to promote cohesion. He also called on the National House of Chiefs and the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs to speed up the compilation of line of succession to the various stools and skins to help reduce such disputes. He further urged disputing parties to adopt Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to resolve conflicts. "Where the adversarial system of justice is preferred, the command will appeal to all parties to use due process to either enstool or destool,� he stated.