Komenda Wars

"[1] The Dutch West India Company (WIC) and the Eguafo Kingdom engaged in an earlier set of hostilities in 1688.

The violence resulted in the killing of the King of Eguafo and a prince who allied with the Dutch was placed on the throne named Takyi.

Willem Bosman was the primary chronicler of the Komenda Wars, being an active participant with the Dutch West India Company and publishing his journals in 1703.

The forces of John Cabess, a prominent merchant in the city of Komenda, was closely allied to the English and often took their side.

The first war began as a result of disputes between a prominent African merchant, John Cabess (sometimes Kabes) who had armed forces loyal to him, in Eguafo and the Dutch West India Company (WIC).

The disputes intensified in November 1694 when Cabess invited the Royal African Company to return to Komenda and then attacked Dutch miners outside of the city.

[2] As a result of these hostilities, the English, Dutch, and Eguafo king began contacting possible allies in surrounding African kingdoms to prepare for a war.

[2] War broke out in February 1695 when the forces of John Cabess attacked the Dutch fort and prevented reinforcements.

On January 21, 1696, a young prince of Eguafo began a civil war to attempt and claim the throne of the kingdom.

Jan van Sevenhuysen, the new WIC Governor of the Gold Coast made peace with Eguafo which allowed the Dutch to retain their factory and fort in Komenda.

In early 1698 the English and Dutch reached an agreement for mutual recognition to trade rights and the maintenance of forts in Komenda.

[2] The fourth war began in November 1699 with a unified force supporting Takyi Kuma beginning hostilities in the region.

In early 1700, individual merchants associated with Twifo and John Cabess were panyarred by Adom, possibly on the instructions of the Dutch.