Counting the cost radicalized militancy in Africa

Several African countries continue to record heinous crimes and acts committed by militant groups vowing to resist attempts to bring order and stability in countries beleaguered by decades of conflict such as Somalia, South Sudan, Central African Republic and parts of the great Lakes Region.

Countries that have attempted to provide support in the form of military aid have become victims of cowardly acts by the new crop of militant groups such as Al Shabab and Boko Haram.

The recent killing of over 147 innocent students at Garissa University in Kenya is one such dastardly and cowardly act, indicative of the increased radicalization of militant groups in Africa, using religion as a cover to innocent civilians and the need for collective effort by Africans and African institutions to deter and stop these senseless killings.

The body count continues to increase and recalling the incidents will assist us Africans, our leaders and global community to appreciate the continued costs and implications of insecurity within parts of Africa and the potential for this to spread:

We can cite many such examples:

• Nigeria, 2009, nearly 1000 people are killed following clashes between militant groups Boko Haram and the Nigerian defense forces,
• Nigeria, 2011, more than 200 people are killed due to various insurgencies attacks, including attacks at UN Compound killing 21 individuals,
• Nigeria, Kano, 2013, 150 civilians including 32 police officers are killed by Boko Haram insurgencies
• Nigeria, Borno, 276 female students are kidnapped by Boko Haram,
• Uganda, Kampala 2010, more than 74 people are killed by bomb blast while watching a world cup matches, terrorist organization claims credit for the acts,
• Kenya, Nairobi, 2013 armed assailants storm Westgate Shopping Mall, killing 67 people in the process
• Kenya, Mandera, 2014, 28 people are executed by gunmen after being forced to disembark from their bus, Al-shabab claims credit for these acts
• Uganda, Kampala, 2015, a prosecutor handling the 2010 bombing is killed in the presence of her children by assassins whose allegiance is believed to be associated with Al-shabab

These are about 2,000 lives lost yet in Africa has not got angry enough to question whence we are headed should this trend continue. These killings, which have gone unpunished are a recipe for impunity which if not arrested can lead to cycle of violence that we very much want to stop.

These are just sad examples of the atrocities committed in recent months and years. Atrocities Watch Africa (AWA) a non-partisan, civil society organization calls upon the, regional economic bodies, national security agencies, African Union and indeed the United Nations to be more proactive in the prevention of mass atrocities, radicalization and increased militancy within Africa through multi-pronged approaches that infuse ownership, legitimacy, and sustainable interface. AWA urges increased professionalism and intra-regional cooperation among security agencies.

AWA will continue to monitor, report, and do the count that such radicalization and killings by such militants with a view of making sure that those behind these crimes are held accountable.

ABOUT ATROCITIES WATCH-AFRICA (AWA)

Atrocities Watch Africa (AWA) is a non-partisan, civil society organization and institution registered in accordance with the laws of Uganda as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). AWA intends to provide continental leadership in matters pertaining to the prevention of mass atrocities within Africa and beyond, through multi-pronged approaches that infuse ownership, legitimacy, and sustainable interface. AWA’s strategic and approaches are grounded in the realization that atrocities can be prevented through various interventions, including, but not limited to, early warning mechanisms, diplomatic efforts, use of social media and new technologies, litigation, and advocacy campaigns.