ACHOLI ELDERS INTERVENE IN TENSION AT KER KWARO ACOLI
In their recommendations, the elders emphasized the need to put in place a legal framework to govern the operation of Kwaro Acholi to avoid further crises.
By Christopher Nyeko
GULU: Acholi elders, under their Umbrella group Wang-oo Heritage Limited (WHL), have taken a proactive approach to cease the tension at Ker Kwaro Acholi through mediation.
On June 20, 2023, a section of cultural chiefs under the leadership of Rwot Richard Santo Apire of Atyiak upset Acholi paramount chief David Onen Acan II, who also doubled as the Rwot of the Payira clan.
The angry chief had earlier accused Acana of incompetency, corruption, too much expression of power, and poor accountability, among other wild allegations, and ordered him to step out of the position of Paramount Chief.
However, on August 4, a team of Acholi elders headed by Okello John Livingstone told journalists that their team had met with a faction of chiefs spearheaded by Rwot Apire, were cordially welcomed, and had begun the process of mediation.
Okello revealed that they failed to meet the Acan team because Acan was out of his station; however, their plan to meet Acana and later bring both teams on board for dialogue still stands.
These elders, without disclosing the details of their meeting to the media, revealed that their meeting with Apire’s faction was cordial, as they were warmly welcomed, revealing that the team is ready for dialogue and mediation.
In their recommendations, the elders emphasized the need to put in place a legal framework to govern the operation of Kwaro Acholi to avoid further crises.
They further highlight the unity and put Acholi at their forefront as a priority.
The elders also discouraged the issue of going to court, which was earlier proposed by Apire’s faction, saying Acholi believed in dialogues as a possible means of addressing the conflicts and suggested the need for both riving teams to jointly and mutually nominate three eminent Acholi to spearhead the mediation.
Recently, Ojara Martin Mapenduzi, the Member of Parliament representing Bardege-Layib division, challenged the reviling chief to embrace the traditional way of addressing conflict, saying people are getting doctorates in the Acholi method of conflict resolution and asking how come the leaders fail to use these measures to address their own problems.
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