A study of the zongo imamship conflict in Nandom

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to understand the Zongo conflict in Nandom by exploring the dynamics involved, the actors involved and the threats to the resolution of the conflict. The study was approached qualitatively and designed as a case study. A total of ten (10) key informants participated in the study. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and observation. Data was analysed using thematic template analysis. The study unearthed that the illness of the Imam and his vice which created a position vacancy of the Imamship as the immediate cause of the conflict. The conflict degenerated into fierce struggle over the Imamship and disagreement over choice of candidates, introduction of ‘minority’ and ‘majority’ rethoric, as well as use of abusive language and attacks caused the conflict among the orthodox Muslims in the Nandom Zongo community. The study revealed that the conflict has strong socio-political, economic, security and religious implications on the Zongo community. The study further found that apart from the primary conflict parties, there were state actors, traditional actors, group actors and independent actors in the conflict. The dynamics of the conflict were informed by the grievances of the conflict parties, actor interaction and conflict parties’ commitment to the conflict. Threats to the resolution of the conflict exist at system level, actor level and traditional level. The study recommended that trust and confidence building in conflict parties by intervening parties should be ensured, politics should be decoupled from the conflict, there should be non-interference of political figures in the conflict, sensitization of the Zongo people on the need to be peaceful should be carried out by third parties mediating the Zongo conflict and continuous security surveillance of the Zongo community should be ensured. The study contributes to the understanding of conflict dynamics and actor interaction in conflict processes.