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Terrorism can be reduced

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WHILE we unreservedly condemn all forms of terrorism, we are also uncompromisingly opposed to any actions that encourage the sprouting of terrorist groups.
We strongly abhor the recent co-ordinated Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist attacks in Paris which killed more than 130 innocent people.
The indiscriminate nature of the attacks is demonstrated by various nationalities caught up in the despicable carnage – French, American, African and even Muslims.
But this latest incident of terror is not an isolated event.
Only in January this year, two million people including 40 world leaders gathered in Paris in solidarity with the 12 people killed by terrorists when they attacked Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris.
There wasn’t such a solidarity gathering in Nigeria, however, when over 2 000 people were massacred by Boko Haram terrorists almost at the same time.
And influential international media made the whole world understand how evil terrorism was when on 9/11 nearly 3 000 Americans were killed in a terrorist attack.
However, we believe loud condemnation of ALL acts of terror would go a long way in uniting the world in its disgust at terrorist activities.
Regrettably it is Eurocentric international media outlets like the BBC, CNN and Sky News, among others, that determine the worthiness or otherwise of victims of terrorism.
For instance, hardly 24 hours before the Paris tragedy, ISIS suicide bombers had struck a crowded market place in Beirut killing at least 44 people.
The influential Western media outlets weren’t that hysterical about this devastating act of terrorism.
If the world wants to effectively discourage terrorism, it should not be classified according to the nationality of the victims or the country where it is carried out.
International media must be equally forceful in painting the ghastly picture of terrorism, be it in France or Kenya.
The media would have considered itself effective if it had compelled the African president of Benin declare a national day of mourning for the 147 Kenyan university students massacred by Al-Shabaab terrorists in April, just as he did for the recent 130 ISIS victims in Paris.
While the media can play its part in influencing the reaction of people to terrorist atrocities, America and her Western allies must avoid creating situations that encourage the flourishing of terrorism.
The Charlie Hebdo incident reminds us of how important it is to respect other people’s religions, Islam in this case.
It is also common knowledge that ISIS is the product of American destruction of Iraq and the arming of rebels to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Although the anarchic situation in Iraq following the removal of Saddam Hussein allowed the West to siphon as much oil as possible, the environment also proved conducive for Islamists to form an Islamic State (IS).
After all, with Saddam gone, a leader the Sunnis admired, recruitment into the Islamic State was no problem.
As if this was not enough, Western powers allied to the US supplied cash and arms to Syrian rebels to overthrow Assad.
Most of the arms and money ended in the hands of the Islamists and Syria soon became chaotic – an ideal situation for ISIS to flourish.
It is this very ISIS, a product of Western greed, that is responsible for the latest attacks in Paris and it has even promised more.
Another fertile ground for more terrorist bases was created in the now divided Libya following the gruesome murder of Muammar Gaddafi.
We think it should now be time for introspection by America and its allies.
For instance, ISIS has even found sympathy from Western youths who see through the greed and hypocrisy of the West both inside and outside Western countries.
Hundreds of Western youths have joined this jihadist group.
More are joining.
Terrorism can be reduced if America and its allies, instead of meddling in other countries’ internal affairs, strive to reduce inequality.

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