terrorism Archives - TalkAfrique

August 22, 2015August 22, 2015

Africa and the Current Issues, by Adrian Joe

by Adrian Joe

Africa is a continent in the world map. It is the second largest and the second most populous continent in the world. Africa is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea in the North, the Indian Ocean to the South East and the Atlantic Ocean to the West. The continent is blessed with 54 fully recognized sovereign states which include countries like Namibia, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Eritrea, Madagascar, Algeria and Morocco. The word AFRICA originates from the word AFRI-KA, meaning “a sunny place”. According to Wikipedia, it is believed that Africa, particularly the Eastern Africa is the origin of humans. Africa as a continent suffers a great exploitation from the Europeans. The continent was firstly partitioned by the European powers such as Britain, France, Belgium, Portugal e.t.c at the 1884/85 Berlin conference which subsequently paved way for them to take full occupation of the continent. The European powers established different steps in order to capture the Africans, for instance, France introduced policy of assimilation and association in their various colonies while British introduced indirect rule. Faced by this exploitation, Africans although benefit from the policies these Europeans introduces because it gives African citizens the opportunity to be educated but at the receiving end, the Africans are the major losers in the sense that most of their natural resources were been taken abroad to develop the industries of the European powers.

After a long and terrible experience of colonization and the independence of India in 1947, nationalist movements erupted and they embraced the spirit of independence. This action was also spear-headed by Resolution 1514 adopted by the United Nation which could see the end of colonization. Nationalist like Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya, Nelson Mandela of South-Africa and Julius Nyerere of Tanzania exhale and started the crusade of independence. The year 1960s were regarded to be the years of African countries because 17 countries (with Ghana been the first in 1957) got their independence, though political independence in nature, and later that year 16 of them joined the United Nation. Furthermore, since the end of the cold war and the appreciation or practice of capitalism and globalization making up a Unipolar world, African continent has witnessed a great number of turbulent actions ranging from ethnic crisis, terrorism, deadly disease and politically motivated violence against the state. These issues need to be tackled in order to make the continent a peaceful and conducive environment for its citizenry to fully participate in the development of the continent. However, there have been many issues which are not satisfactory or needed to be addressed urgently within the African continent. Africa as of today is regarded as a “backward continent”, not because they can’t think or implement good and reasonable policies that would move the continent forward, but because of problems such as sit tight syndrome, corruption, and lack of technological knowhow put them in this quagmire. Some of the contemporary issues facing the African continent include:

Bad, corrupt and autocratic leadership
Xenophobia in southern Africa
Migration in Northern Africa
Terrorism and Ebola epidemic in West Africa

Let us now examine them one after the other: Continue reading “Africa and the Current Issues, by Adrian Joe”

January 2, 2011January 16, 2011

Obama Deplores Bombings in Nigeria

Tokunbo Adedoja and Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

New York — President Barack Obama yesterday “strongly” condemned the new year eve’s bomb blast near an Army Barracks in the nation’s capital city.

He also offered US’ assistance to help Nigeria bring perpetrators of the dastardly act to justice.

A deadly explosion on Friday night at the Mammy Market located directly opposite the Mogadishu Cantonment formerly known as Sani Abacha Barracks in Abuja, had killed not less than 10 people and injured several others.

A week earlier, multiple bomb explosions in Jos, Plateau State capital, had claimed the lives of not less than 80 people and left several others critically injured.

In a statement issued by the White House, President Obama, while also extending his condolences to the families of those killed and to the wounded, said US stands with the Nigerian people “at this difficult time.”

Describing it as “outrageous terrorist bombing attacks”, Obama said: “Killing innocent civilians who were simply gathering – like so many people around the world – to celebrate the beginning of a New Year further demonstrates the bankrupt vision of those who carry out these attacks”.

Noting that the attack near the army barracks in Abuja reportedly killed more than 20 people and wounded many more, the US President said, “we are similarly prepared to offer assistance to the Government of Nigeria as it works to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

In the same White House statement, Obama also condemned the attack on a church in Alexandria, Egypt, which he said caused 21 reported deaths and dozens of injured from both the Christian and Muslim communities.

The US President said, “The perpetrators of this attack were clearly targeting Christian worshippers, and have no respect for human life and dignity.”

Noting that US is gathering information regarding this terrible event, and is prepared to offer any necessary assistance to the government in responding to it, Obama said those behind the attack must be brought to justice for this barbaric and heinous act.

However, the Nigerian Police yesterday placed the nation on “red alert” in a determined bid to track down bombers it accused of disturbing the peace of the nation.

Inspector-General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, who spoke in Abuja, said the police were prepared to ensure adequate security of lives and property.

He said while the red alert regime lasted, Nigerians were expected to assist the police and other security agencies ” with useful information on any suspicious persons.”

Ringim also listed what he called suspicious parcels, bags, packages or other receptacles, among others, as some of the things that members of the public should promptly report to the Police”.

He said the orgy of violence unleashed in some parts of the country notably: Borno, Bayelsa, Plateau and Abuja through the use of improvised explosive devices was the handiwork of a few misguided citizens.

According to him, the intention was to create the impression that government and indeed the security agencies cannot guarantee the safety of Nigerians.

He also explained that the security alert was put in place to contain envisaged crimes ahead of the 2011 general elections.

“While it is apparent that the recent attacks have been directed at innocent citizenry and harmless Nigerians as victims, the public is hereby reassured of their safety as the NPF and indeed all other security agencies are resolved to put an end to these irresponsible acts.

“All law abiding citizens have nothing to fear and should go about their normal businesses without let or hindrance. No effort will be spared in bringing the perpetrators of these dastardly acts to justice. This is the time for us to show resolve and solidarity,” he said.

He stated that appropriate counter measures were duly activated and all those involved in these heinous acts would be rounded up and made to face the full wrath of the law soon.

A statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer and Deputy Commissioner of Police, Olusola Amore, said “so far information at my disposal revealed that four persons are confirmed dead while 21 injured are currently receiving adequate medical attention. The IGP once again wishes to reassure the public of their safety and to be rest assured that any design to undermine the stability and security of this country will be strongly resisted.”

January 2, 2011March 21, 2011

Uganda Women Won’t Let Police Check their Breasts

Geof Magga, Afrik-News

Women in Uganda have protested against their breasts being checked for bombs at entry points to public places.

The protest comes after a directive from the police demanding that womens’ bras should be checked thoroughly. They argue that terrorists are now manufacturing suicide bombs similar to bras.

Uganda police counter terrorism expert, Lodovick Awita while addressing public places operators in Kampala said “Terrorits are devising new methods of attack to beat the tight security measures. They are now making suicide bomb vests similar to bras. We therefore appeal to security personnel to check women’s bras.”

Anger

But women in Uganda have not taken the information lightly. “That is tatamount to abusing our privacy. Why should they touch our breasts simply because they claim they are checking for bombs. Breasts are among the most private parts of women and should no be touched by anyone,” said women’s activist Salama Namuddu during a press interview in Kampala today.

Namuddu believes that instead of giving security personnel a valid pretext to touch women’s breasts, the police should rather place metal detectors at all entry points to public places.

According to her “In this modern world there are gadgets which can be used to detect bombs rather than physical checking of individuals. They can use metal and bomb detectors.”

A women’s rights advocate, Beatrice Akie, has also spoken against the directive. “If they insist on checking us with their hands we will demonstrate against it” says Beatrice.

But whilst Namaddu argues that modern gadgets should be used, Beatrice Akie She explains that although women should be thoroughly checked for security reasons, it should be done in a way that does not abuse their rights, like the use of scanners.

Uganda is under threats of attacks by Al Shabab who accuse it for taking its troops Somalia for peacekeeping missions.