Advising African governments about Democracy and Terrorism
By James D Hallowanger |
The continent of Africa has fifty-four countries with vast resources including diamonds, golds, timbers, oil etc. Most of the countries on the continent started receiving their freedom of independence in the 1950s and 60s,. At the time of their independence, there were dancing everywhere on the dusty streets of the continent with the youth believing that their time has come. Some danced with tears of job, saying yes, I meant oh! Yes our time has come to enjoy the fruits of our ancestors.
It is important to consider the importance of promoting democracy as foundation for stability and development in Africa by encouraging to uphold democratic principles such as free and fair elections, aspect for human rights, rule of law, accountability and good governance. Good governance referees to the process and institution that produce results that meets the needs of society while making the best used of resources at their disposal.
It is the process of measuring how public institutions conduct public affairs and manage public resources and guarantee the realization of human rights in a manner. Therefore, African governments must realize the facts that allowing freedom of speech can make government proud in the eyes of its citizens. Government must learn to accept all tribal groups in the formation of governance regardless how smaller that tribe is.
Example in my country Liberia, the Gbi, , Dei, and fei, are always neglected when it comes to government appointments and development . The Gbi – Doru is found in Nimba why the Dei is found in Bomi and Gbarpulu. The Mandingoes are marginalized in the past, other Liberian consider the Mandingoes as foreigners if we do not read our history.
In Nigeria the most smaller tribal groups are the Kanuri, ijev etc. In Kenya, the Elmolo tribe is made of 300 people and are highly heard about, in Guinea the Kissi and Lormas are marginalized These tribal groups are look down upon because of their size. All of these negative’s behavior can bring about hard feelings and this where the Terrorist groups can get their recruitment. According to the oldest English -language general Encyclopedia Britannica, Terrorism are usually complex and controversial, and, because of the inherent ferocity and violence of terrorism, the term in its popular usage has developed an intense sigma. It was first considered in 1790s to refer to the terror used during the French evolution by the revolutionaries against their opponents. The Jacobin party of Maximilien Robespierre carried out a Reign of Terror involving mass execution by the guillotine. Terrorism is not legally defined in all jurisdictions, the status that do exact, however, generally states some common elements. And so Terrorism involves the use of threat of violence and seeks to create fear, not just within the direct victims but among a wide audience. Therefore, Terrorism can be prevented and limited when good governance is practiced by addressing the root causes of authoritarian corruption, lack of transparency, and weak institutions which extremist groups can use to create harm to the country. In so doing , the government of Africa must be able to pyritize peaceful conflict resolution mechanisms to address grievances and prevent the spread of terrorism, thereby investing in mediation, dialogue and reconciliation which can help address underlying tension.
Again, the government must be in the business of engaging communities by building trust between the government and citizens which is crucial to gathering intelligence, preventing radical terrorism and countering extremist narratives.
Government should be encouraged to engage in regional cooperation to combat transitional terrorism threats. Example : The recent visit by president Joseph N Boakai to the Ivory Coast is a sound initiatives by the administration. Collaborating with neighboring countries is way of intelligence gather and sharing border security-
Government also needs to address the root cause of terrorism such as poverty, margination, unemployment and lack of education, Investing in social and economic development can help prevent radicalization and recruitment extremist groups.
Like I have written in some of my past articles, security structures in Africa are not constant, Trained men are roaming the streets of the city and some of the county, s side. The reason is every new government comes to power are in the business of bringing their own men on board thereby flooding the force, and reducing the old guards seening as enemies within. And with new government taking some of these actions, there are genuine reasons, Example: The special security service now referred to as EPS is responsible for the protection of the president, but in Taylor, s reign, the SSS men were involved in serious Military battle, It’s Director was one of the fearless special forces of Taylor, s NPFL. And so, president Sirleaf taking over as a new president was force to laid off most of service men and paid them off by the government through the United Nations. Recently during president Weah Tenured as president, it is alleged that some of the service men wore partisan, s T shirts belonging to the congress for Democratic Change ( CDC) a political party of president George Weah during the 2023 election, s campaign. The new government is now in the business of identifying and taking out some of these men.
Some pundits are of the opinions, that these guys are not responsible but the government who plays blind professional eyes to these behavior, especially the high ups in EPS at the time who allowed these things happened this way, must be brought to justice, to the security board for serious investigations. Government in Africa must come together to help their brothers if that leader intends to change the constitution, just to maintain power. The AU, and sub- regional group like ECOWAS should monitor, leaders who are bending on changing the constitution to prolong themselves in power or going through the election commission to rig.
Therefore, by emphasizing these silent points, governments in Africa can work towards by building resilient democracies there by effecting and combating terrorism while promoting peace stability and development in the region.
About Author: James D Hallowanger, is an security expert, politician, diplomat, former 2023 Senatorial candidate for Nimba. Former Police Commandant, former EPS deputy Director for Administration and former security and political analyst at the National Security council and has three masters degree. He can be reached at: 314-398-9580 /Jdhallo@yahoo. Com
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