Africa is a complex multidimensional reality. It is difficult to have one single solution to the issue of insurgency or any other problem for that matter. In order to curb the insurgency that is currently on the rise in the continent, we must adopt a regional solution.
The military solution - although very necessary, is not sufficient. Dialogue needs to be deepened and there is a need to eliminate the factors that encourage and develop support of the insurgency, and not just by force.
We need to have the media, the school system, and religious authorities as allies who also have an important role to play. We need to address economic inequality and religious extremism, fight corruption and promote unity in the continent.
African leaders have to do the best in their power to eliminate the class problem and close the religious divide. There needs to be a long term vision, clear political will, serious investment in people – especially the youths, in order to take the challenge of overcoming the constraints to full development that still persist.
Africans have to believe that Africa can be better and it is our responsibility/duty to work for a better Africa. Our society today is incomparably more complex and demanding than it was a few years ago. The continent has grown and is transforming and modernizing itself at a fast pace; we have also adopted the problems of the world in return.
It is sad that insurgency has become a constant reality in the African continent and what is most sad is that the menace is often anchored on issues that do not directly concern us as Africans. This raises the question of the true reason behind insurgency on the continent in the first place.
While that question may generate different answers depending on who is asked, one thing that we will all agree upon is that fact that African leaders have all failed in their approach to curbing insurgency. This is often because they tend to politicize the attacks.
When these attacks are carried out, rather than do all it can to take control of the situation, African governments often point fingers at the opposition and accuse them of instigating the attacks.
Although there may be truth in these accusations as we have been made to see over time, I believe that steps to prevent further attacks should be employed rather than finger pointing, accusations, and counter-accusations.
Another problem is also the poor funding of the military even in the face of the insurgency. It is surprising that a government can divert funds meant for weapons and payment of salaries to military personnel and expect results in the fight against insurgency.
This is why African stakeholders must look to adopt alternate means of curbing insurgency because the government cannot be trusted to do the right thing.
Religious leaders, traditional rulers, and institutions must take a step in promoting dialogue and brokering peace deals so as to save our continent from anarchy.
Lastly, the dependency on foreign ideologies and adopting alien believes must be checked.
We must not partake in battles that are not ours and we must refuse to be puppets of religious fanatics and political bigots. Let us build an Africa for Africans from the ground up and see how this will help in the fight against insurgency and other vices in the continent.
What are your thoughts?
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