June 08, (THEWILL)- Prominent Islamic Cleric, Sheik Ahmad Gumi, on Tuesday disclosed that the bandits terrorising the country had shown a readiness to lay down their arms and embrace peace.
Gumi, in a chat with Daily Post, said the bandits were tired and ready to embrace peace if they got a genuine partnership from the government.
He said: “Yes, it’s very true because bandits are saying they were pushed into banditry by circumstances. If they have a genuine partner, they are ready to stop it; they are tired and want peace.
“As regards their ongoing activities, you realise that even when soldiers are fighting and a ceasefire is declared, it takes a long time before they stop fighting.”
On efforts to talk the bandits into peace, Gumi said “We are able to see about 80 percent of the big ones and then some small splinter groups which we could not meet because due to circumstances as we cannot go into the bush again.
“But generally, they are ready for peace, in fact, we have gathered their representatives, discussed with them, and they said they are ready but need a genuine partner. Politics is the cause of this issue.”
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