The Scourge of Terrorism: Theater of Conflict Moves to Africa.
Abstract
Two decades ago, most of the people of Africa associated terrorism with the PLO, IRA and "Carlos the Jackal" the legendary hero of most terrorists, otherwise known as Illich Ramirez Sanchez. They were least concerned with what they perceived as Palestinian-Israeli-European - American conflict. Beginning with the hijacking of Lufthansa Airline from Greece to Entebbe, Uganda in July 1976, followed by the revengeful bombing of Nairobi's Norfolk Hotel on 3rd December 1976, and most recently with the simultaneous bombings of the US Embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, terrorists had finally shifted their theater of war to Africa. The aim of this paper is to critically analyze the term "Terrorism" as viewed by a cross section of the international community. In order to determine if this malice is on the rise or not, I will analyze trends in the formation of these organizations, their purpose and activities. My paper will then shift its focus to Africa and select a few cases of terrorism and their impact on the victims, the social fabric and the security apparatus in dealing with the after effects. I will further try to explain why Africa has been chosen as a new theater of conflict, and recommend what African governments need to do to reduce their vulnerability to terrorism. African nations need to consider the following bold steps: - Reject liberation wars that adopt methods of terrorism. - Join the international community in information exchange regarding all forms of terrorism. - Strengthen immigration security. - Set up, and train disaster management teams. - Educate and inform citizens to be conscious of terronsm. - Enact laws that make terrorist activities difficult to operate. - Whenever possible, deny terrorist organizations access to mass media.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA364502
Entities
People
- Matthew S. Chuma
Organizations
- United States Army War College