Retired military officer and security analyst, Colonel Festus Aboagye, has called on the government to ensure that military deployments to Bawku and other parts of northern Ghana strictly conform to national and international legal standards.

Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on Monday, July 28, 2025, Col Aboagye described the government’s response to the recent upsurge in violence as ‘reactionary’, following the targeted killing of three students in the Upper East and Northeast regions.

“I think we can say that the government is reactionary. Of course, when tactical situations change, you change approaches, but the military must not exceed the lawful use of force,” he stated.

The recent violence, linked to the long-standing Bawku chieftaincy conflict, has claimed the lives of students from Nalerigu Senior High School and Bawku Senior High School, triggering public outrage and heightened security operations, including increased curfews and military presence.

Col Aboagye acknowledged the worsening security conditions but warned against excessive or inappropriate use of military force.

He emphasised that the situation in Bawku constitutes an internal security matter, not a peacekeeping or peace enforcement mission.

“There has never been any peacekeeping involved. We must not use terminologies that do not apply. Bawku is an inter-ethnic conflict in a democracy,” he stated.

He urged the state to ensure that the legal basis for deploying troops is clearly defined and compliant with both domestic law and international standards.

“The state now needs to find room for the armed forces to deploy one, within the laws of the country, and two, subject to international law,” he said.

Col Aboagye also warned against adopting military strategies suited for conventional warfare, saying such tactics are ill-suited for internal conflicts like the one in Bawku.

“What is happening in Bawku is internal security. We don’t necessarily need to use the term ‘peace enforcement’ even if some of the principles may apply,” he added.

MRA/VPO

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