Ghana’s national security adviser resigned in the wake of a deadly bloodletting within a feuding northern kingdom, becoming the third top official to quit over the slaughter.
Joshua Hamidu announced his resignation late Monday, saying he would work to clear his name of responsibility in the March killings.
The violence broke out in the northern homeland of Ghana’s ethnic Dagbon people during the annual fire festival that marks their new year.
Normally a time of cattle sacrifices and torchlit dances, the festival on March 25 turned to violence when a dispute broke out over which of two rival clans should lead the rituals.
Members of the kingdom’s Abudu clan allegedly stormed the palace of the king, of the rival Andani clan.
Assailants beheaded King Ya-Na Yakubu Andani, killed members of his security detail, and set his palace alight with the bodies still inside, authorities say.
At least 36 people died.
The two clans have a rivalry dating back at least to Ghana’s independence from Britain in 1957.
Followers of the slain king accused top government officials of prior knowledge of the attack.
Interior Minister Malik Al-hassan Yakubu and local government Prince Imoro Andani resigned earlier. They denied any wrongdoing, however, and sued the Dagbon elders for alleged defamation.
The Ghana Bar Association on Saturday urged national security advisers be dismissed as well, saying they should clear the way for a “thorough, fair and objective investigation.”
A state of emergency remains in place in the northern kingdom.
Source: GhanaWeb
