The African Union High Representative for Silencing the Guns, Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, has urged Ghana’s security agencies to avoid the use of lethal weapons during the polls and remain fair and impartial arbiters.

Delivering a speech at the maiden edition of the Diplomatic Honours in Accra, Dr. Chambas said he has had the privilege of working with Ghanaian security in several peacekeeping missions, and they have an enviable reputation.

“They have often acted with commendable professionalism, winning the respect of citizens in missions in which they have been deployed across the world to protect vulnerable civilians. This same level of professionalism is called for during the deployment of our police and armed men, armed forces included, during the forthcoming elections,” he said.

He, however, called on security agencies to remain neutral and to avoid the use of lethal weapons unless when necessary.

“The use of lethal weapons is totally uncalled for. The police and their uniformed personnel must take the primary responsibility with the armed forces in the background, coming in only in rare and exceptional cases.

“We expect our service personnel to be neutral, apolitical, and indeed even-handed in their operations. They should deploy in a manner to ensure the security of the entire process without being intimidating or a deterrence to the citizens coming out in their numbers to exercise their franchise, freely and without fear,” he said.

He cautioned that everyone will account for their role should there be violence at the polls.

“And this time around, it should be made abundantly clear that all shall be held to account. Individuals, service personnel, and especially vigilante groups, will be held accountable for any violence during the process,” he added.

ID/AE

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