Acholi saga: Mao tells rivaling chiefs to dialogue

Justice minister Nobert Mao has called upon the rivaling Acholi chiefs to resort to dialogue other than cause tension in resolving the paramount chief succession.

Mao, who made the call during his homecoming visit to Gulu on Saturday in Gulu city, said there is no reason to fight for the throne because there are no other special rituals required to succeed in the position of the paramount chef other than the usual Acholi traditional ritual.

"There is no special anointing that shall be performed on you to become a paramount chief, except the same anointing from your clan and then your other chiefs will join to support your leadership upon succession”, said Mao.

He added that there is a need for truth-telling because where there is tension it is most likely that there is no truth.

“I have spoken to the two factions and I told them that there is a need for truth-telling,” Mao added.

According to him, the Government is not ready to involve itself in the saga. He said he is happy that both sides have considered not taking the matter to court.

The Minister said that there are very many issues in Acholi that have to be dealt with other than fighting each other.

Background

There is a power struggle in the Acholi chiefdom (Ker Kwaro Acholi) with a section of clan heads/chiefs against paramount chief David Onen Acana II's rule. Despite a decision by the council of chiefs to maintain Acana at the helm, the rival chiefs are choosing court redress.

The interim chairperson of the break-away chiefs, who are against Acana II's leadership, last week agreed to meet with him on condition that the invitation letters are sent to them officially.

Recently, Members of Parliament (MPs) from Acholi under the Acholi Parliamentary Group (APG) a call for mediation talks between the breakaway chiefs and those who support Rwot Acana II failed due to the busy schedules of the MPs.

Rwot Apire on July 19, 2023, while addressing journalists from his home at Lacor trading centre, Bardege-Layibi Division in Gulu city, made the call saying they are willing for a peaceful resolution of their differences, but the MPs needed to call them officially not through the Media.

“Our door is open to whoever wants to meet and negotiate with us should write to us officially stating clearly what exactly they want to discuss with us. We shall not accept any call through the media, especially radio,” Apire said.

On the same note, Rwot John Peko Lugai II said: “It is not for the two factions to continue fighting, but to come to an agreement backed by the law (The Institution of Traditional or Cultural Leaders’ Act of 2011-Part VI (number 7)”.

He added that if Acana insisted on maintaining himself in power, there is a risk of going to the courts of law.