SUMMARY
The conflict between Nanumba, Dagomba, and Gonja on one side and Konkomba on the other side took place in Ghana’s Northern Region. This region is home to a large number of different ethnic groups, who throughout history repeatedly clashed. However, in the early 1990s, those clashes escalated to previously unseen intensity and violence, resulting in two distinct, but interlinked conflicts: The 1991-1992 clashes between Gonja and a Nawuri – Konkomba alliance, and the “Guinea Fowl War” in 1994-1995 between Nanumba, Dagomba, and Gonja and Konkomba (see the Gonja – Nawuri, Konkomba conflict)
The clashes were mainly between Nanumba and Konkomba, while the Dagomba and Gonja were drawn into the conflict on the Nanumba side. The conflict was generally seen as a result of the 1991/1992 conflict between Gonja and a Nawuri – Konkomba alliance which led to that the previously relatively peaceful Konkomba were drawn into the ethnic tensions in the region. Despite the fact that the conflict ended in 1992, the issues were not resolved, tensions remained high and many feared retaliation attacks by Konkomba.
The underlying causes of the conflict were two different traditional forms of livelihood and internal organization. Ghana's Northern Region is divided into two different types of societies: Chiefly and acephalous. The former is organized along with chieftaincy structures with a clear hierarchy level and is practiced by Nanumba, Dagomba, Gonja, and Mamprusis, while the latter does not know a hierarchical organization and is to a large extend migratory farmers. This form of organization is practiced by Konkombas, Nawuris, Basares, and Nchumurus. This difference in organization and livelihood resulted in unclearness of and disagreements over land rights, recognition, and political representation. Konkomba claimed indigeneity and therefore the right to own land, rather than having to pay tribute to the other groups for the land they farm. They also demanded to be represented in the National House of Chiefs.
Violence between the two sides was sparked by a quarrel between a Nanumba man and a Konkomba man over the trade of a Guinea fowl on 31 January 1994 in Bimbila district, an incident which also gave the popular name for this conflict, “Guinea Fowl War”. Following that incident, violence erupted heavily in February and spread from Bimbila district to the whole Northern Region. While February was by far the most violent month, the clashes continued in the following months. The situation calmed temporarily in June after a peace treaty was signed by all warring parties. Yet, this treaty did not address the main issue - that of land rights - and tensions persisted. Violence erupted again in March 1995, allegedly caused by the killing of a senior Konkomba member. The 1995 violence differed from that of the previous year in terms of the weapons used, with automatic weapons being used to a large extent, whereas in 1994, the main weapons had been arrows and spears. The new weapons had reportedly started to arrive in the area following the clashes in February 1994.
The situation eased in 1995, even when the main issues remained unaddressed. Overall, over 2000 people died in those two years, the majority of which is in 1994. In addition, hundreds of villages were destroyed and an estimated 150 000 people made homeless. Furthermore, the conflict considerably deteriorated health and living conditions and led to a lack of food and clean water. Until today, there is disagreement over which group was the main aggressor. While almost all villages belonging to Nanumba, Dagomba, and Gonja on the Bimbilla-Yendi road (a distance of about 65 km) were burnt, the Konkomba minority in the town of Tamale was forced to flee after attacks by youths belonging to the opposing groups. Also, all Konkomba villages in the West Gonja district were destroyed.
Towards the end of 1995, the main issues slowly could be addressed, mainly due to intense peace mediation by the government. Agreements were reached on reforming the structure of political representation and on land rights. Nevertheless, tensions remained high; leading to that throughout the 1990s members of the involved groups often did not dare to enter towns inhabited by the other side and occasional small clashes were observed. Furthermore, in 1997, the Konkomba almost engaged in fighting over land rights with Nchumurus, another local ethnic group. An outbreak of violence could only be avoided due to mediation by Ghanian President Rawlings.
The non-state conflict between Nanumba, Dagomba, and Gonja on one side and Konkomba on the other side is first included in UCDP data in 1994. In February of that year fighting between the two sides led to more than 25 battle-related deaths.
