The Deputy Minister recalled that the situation led to the death of at least two people, with several more injured alongside the detention of a Member of Parliament and other stakeholders in the chiefdom.

He said: “It is unfortunate that the problems in Pujehun District, especially the one in Sahn Malen Chiefdom, are over almost all national and international media. The provision of alternative livelihood support would bring lasting peace to the conflicts in the chiefdom and confrontations must stop.”

He went on to say that as a government, they have called on all the stakeholders to stop the fighting and work together for the overall development of the district.

He went further to say: “We have resolved that in order to lay to rest the conflict in Sahn Malen Chiefdom, we must review the land lease agreement, payment of surface rent, release of detainees, provision of alternative livelihood and inauguration of chiefdom level meetings.” He further noted that the Pujehun District Descendants’ Association (PDDA) was very pivotal in finding a peaceful solution to the crisis.

According to him, apart from the conflicts in Malen Chiefdom, he has also been engaging stakeholders in the district to come together and alleviate poverty, as well as create an enabling environment for young men, women and children to thrive.

He maintained however that he wants to reassure every indigene of Pujehun that with the peace brokered, unity is the only way to achieving development and that difference in opinion should not serve as a yardstick to violently confront each other. “We are one family, district and people,” he added.

He informed AYV that he had once played a pivotal role in eradicating the Ebola virus disease in the district, when the need arose, adding that he is always ready to attend to the needs of his people.

He used the opportunity to thank all those who in diverse ways contributed to the resolution of the crisis.