Facts on terrorism (review)

Terrorism has become a global concern as there is hardly any part of the world that is not directly or indirectly affected by terrorist activities. Of course, acts of terrorism have been in existence from time immemorial, especially if one considers historical antecedents like the Zealots? struggle against the rule of Roman empire in AD 66 to 73, the French Revolution in the 18th century, which gave birth to the use of ?terror? in the political sense in which it is being used today, and the reign of terror unleashed on the Black Americans by the notorious militant group known as Ku klux klan in the 19th and early part of 20th century. However, the magnitude and dimension terrorism has assumed lately makes it the hottest topic of discussion worldwide. The media are busy reporting and analyzing terror incidents around the world while scholars are equally busy propounding theories on the concept, causes and effects of the terrifying phenomenon.

Comrade Shehu Sani?s book, Scorpions under Pillow: Terrorism in Africa, is one of the latest works on the burning issue. The 359-page book is a detailed research work on the origin, theories, trends, patterns and consequences of terrorism in Africa. It attempts to define and analyze the subject of terrorism.

The book is divided into two parts consisting of five chapters each. The first part contextualizes the entire study by introducing and providing theoretical framework on the concept of terrorism. Part two deals with topics like the origin, forms and nature of terrorism and counter-terrorism in Africa.

Knowing how the subjective use of the word ?terrorism? has made it difficult for one to attempt a categorical definition, the author explores the various definitions by scholars, organizations and countries. He then adopts the United Nations Organisation?s definition with the view to establishing a working definition for the term as employed in the study. According to the definition, "Terrorism is an anxiety-inspiring method of repeated violent action, employed by (semi) clandestine individual, group or state actors, for idiosyncratic, criminal or political reasons, whereby ? in contrast to assassination ? the direct targets of violence are not the main targets." (P.10).

The author also makes a brilliant attempt at identifying the various classes of terrorism. He identifies four major classifications; international, transnational, state and domestic terrorism. From these he further identifies two forms of terrorism: "Those with secular ideologies and non-religious goals and those with religious oriented and millenarian goals." (p.16). Narrowing the focus down to Africa, which is the heart of the study, the author asserts on page 313 that the major forms of terrorism in the continent include ethnic or clan militia, rebel insurgency, religious extremism, cells of international terrorists organizations and state sponsored terrorism.
Topics in part two include the causes and effects of terrorism in Africa, with special focus on North Africa, East Africa and West Africa. The author identifies poverty, illiteracy, lack of patriotism, oppression, marginalization of segments of the population, religious bigotry etc. as common factors responsible for the emergence and growth of terrorism in the continent. He then observed that as a result of these contributing factors which are on the rise, Africa is increasingly being seen to be of strategic importance in the war against transnational terrorism as "international terrorist organizations are turning to the continent as a safe haven and sanctuary within which to rest, plan and launch attacks against other nations". (p. 314).

The last three chapters of the book draw general conclusions from the study and proffer counter-terrorism and anti-terrorism policy options. The options include physical security measures, economic measures, intelligence gathering and sharing among nations, law enforcement and co-operation among intelligence agencies, public enlightenment and awareness campaigns etc.

Based on the analysis of the realities on ground, however, the author is quick to add that in spite of all these measures, terrorism will continue to thrive and even become more devastating unless a more productive approach to counter-terrorism that involves addressing the root causes of the ugly trend is adopted. This re-echoes the views of Bob Marley, who prophesied in one of his famous songs that there will be no end to wars until the philosophy that holds one race inferior and another superior is completely discredited and destroyed.

The strength of this book lies in the fearless conclusions drawn at the end of every discourse. Fearless and objective; the author?s opinions are predicated on the analysis of the research materials he consulted and cited.

However, at times the author carries this objectivity to the extent that it becomes a minus on the intellectual quality of the work. In his fervent pursuit of objectivity he has almost lost his own voice; he has allowed his voice to be drowned by the voices of the many authors whose works are cited in the study. For instance, even a working definition which should be the personal view of the author based on his findings was taken from the point of view of the United Nations Organisation. The organization may be an international body representing nations of the world, but certainly it could not be said that all its opinions represent the views of the entire world. The constant disagreements among the Security Council members and the General Assembly members are a glaring testimony to the fact. Though there is nothing wrong with the UN definition per se, the author should have drawn his definition from the various definitions discussed in the book. Alternatively, he could have adopted a more African definition as given by the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (quoted on page 11) which equally has a universal application and is more specific to the African experience, the main focus of the study.

All the same, the author?s approach, which stemmed from his concern for objectivity, cannot be entirely dismissed as an intellectual subservience. Terrorism is a sensitive issue that must be handled with caution else one is misinterpreted or even labeled as a terrorist! Moreover, terrorism is such a controversial subject that too much of personal opinions may compromise the author?s intention, which apparently is to create awareness on terrorism rather than to propagate group interests in relation to the subject. Previous works on terrorism by some authors have been found guilty of being an instrument of propaganda. This book is free of such lapse; it gives a full, unbiased insight into terrorism in Africa and globally. In fact, it could be described as the book of facts on terrorism.

Tweet