Emir Sanusi Arrives in Ghana Amid Fulani Expulsion Crisis

Muhammadu Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Emir of Kano and president of the global Fulani organization Tabital Pulaaku International, has landed in Ghana to address the escalating crisis over the planned expulsion of Fulani herders. His intervention comes as Ghanaian authorities launch operations against Fulani communities accused of open grazing, banditry, and terrorism, sparking widespread public backlash. Sanusi aims to foster dialogue and protect Fulani rights in the volatile situation.​

Background of the Tensions

Ghana faces rising conflicts between Fulani herders and local farmers, with thousands of hectares of farmland reportedly destroyed by open grazing practices. The Ghanaian military has declared “Operation Cowlegs” to expel all Fulani individuals, linking them to armed robbery, kidnapping, and crop destruction. These measures build on earlier 2023 expulsions of Burkinabè Fulani asylum seekers, criticized by rights groups for targeting the ethnic group amid jihadist threats from neighboring Burkina Faso.​

As head of Tabital Pulaaku International since 2022, Sanusi holds significant influence in Fulani cultural and advocacy circles across West Africa. His visit seeks mediation between herders, farmers, and officials to prevent mass deportations and promote peaceful resolutions ahead of the 2025 farming season. Reports indicate he arrived to appeal directly against the deportations, urging federal backing for Fulani concerns.​

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Fulani herder-farmer clashes echo patterns in Nigeria and the Sahel, where security fears often lead to ethnic profiling. Ghanaian officials deny discrimination, citing national security, while UNHCR has previously condemned similar actions as refoulement. Social media buzzes with “Fulani must go” campaigns, highlighting public anger over alleged criminal links.