Bawku Crisis: Military Action Must Respect Legal Boundaries – Col. Festus Aboagye

Retired military and security analyst, Colonel Festus Aboagye, has cautioned that the deployment of military forces to Bawku and other conflict-prone areas in northern Ghana must strictly adhere to both national and international legal frameworks.

Col. Aboagye emphasized that despite the tragic killings of students and increasing insecurity, the government’s response must not compromise legal and ethical standards.

“I think we can say that the government is being reactionary,” he remarked, criticizing what he views as a short-term and force-driven approach to the worsening crisis.

He acknowledged the shifting dynamics of the conflict—including its geographical spread and the targeting of civilians, particularly schoolchildren—but stressed that any adjustment in military tactics must remain within legal boundaries.

“When tactical situations change, you adjust your approach. But that must not result in force levels that exceed lawful limits,” he added.

Spike in Violence and Military Response

In recent days, three students have been killed in what are believed to be targeted attacks linked to the long-standing Bawku chieftaincy dispute. Two victims were from Nalerigu Senior High School in the North East Region, and the third was a final-year student at Bawku Senior High School in the Upper East Region.

These incidents have provoked national outrage and prompted the government to increase military presence and enforce stricter curfews in the affected areas.

Call for Lawful and Precise Security Measures

While Col. Aboagye acknowledged the need for a strong response to restore order, he urged clarity in the government’s strategy and language.

“It’s appropriate that the government takes action, but we must avoid mislabeling the operation as ‘peacekeeping’. That term does not apply here.”

He noted that peacekeeping is a concept reserved for specific types of conflicts, often involving international intervention.

“Bawku is an inter-ethnic conflict within a democratic state. It is an internal security issue—not an international or cross-border war.”

Internal Security, Not Peace Enforcement

Col. Aboagye stressed that the Armed Forces must operate under the legal authority of the state, in accordance with Ghanaian law and broader international humanitarian standards.

“The government must clearly define the legal basis for military deployment—first, within domestic laws, and second, in line with international norms,” he said.

He cautioned against the indiscriminate application of military doctrines designed for conventional warfare or international peace enforcement.

“We don’t need to invoke terms like ‘peace enforcement’, even if some of the principles overlap. This is about internal security, and it must be handled as such.”

Conclusion

As tensions continue in Bawku, Col. Aboagye’s remarks serve as a reminder that military solutions must be grounded in legality, precision, and accountability, especially when civilian lives are at stake. He called for a measured and lawful approach to restoring peace, emphasizing that long-term stability cannot be achieved through excessive force or vague legal justification.