Al-shabaab attacks in Kenya and Uganda. What lessons can Sierra Leone learn? The Al-Shabaab is widely regarded as al-Qaeda affiliates in Somalia. The hard-core Islamist fundamentalists are fighting for the establishment of an Islamic state in Somalia. They always targets countries that have sent troops to Somalia as was witnessed in Uganda in 2010 when 70 innocent civilians were heinously massacred when watching a soccer match in a restaurant in Kampala. Similar horrific massacre was also perpetuated yesterday (September 21, 2013) by Al-shabaab in the Kenyan city of Nairobi when the group again attacked a shopping centre killing many civilians. Media reports on the massacre indicate that 59 civilians were killed and close to 200 more wounded. The casualty figure is expected to rise as there are still about 36 hostages held by the attackers in the shopping centre. According to the news cast, majority of those killed in the attack were Kenyans, including 2 Canadians and 3 French nationals. Six (6) Americans were also wounded in the attack. Media reports further indicate that the attack was well coordinated and that about 10 to 15 al-shabab armed militants were involved in the attack.Kenya and Uganda have become targets for al-shabaab because of their military role against the rise Islamic fundamentalists in that country. I think this should be a wake-up-call for our authorities in Sierra Leone as we have also contributed troops to Somalia under the African Union/United Nations. We should not be content with the fact that Sierra Leone is on the other side of the continent and take things for granted. My suggestion to the authorities in Sierra Leone is to reinforce strategies to ensuring an enhanced security measures particularly our airport, beaches and other areas of population concentration in the country like the churches. If we can recall, Al-Shabaab sent a message to the people of SL that they would see blood if they sent troops to Somalia. It was in that same message that they reminded Kenyans of their many shopping centers that could be targets of attack for sending troops to Somalia. So Sierra Leone has to act now and protect innocent citizens before it is too late. Other areas that need immediate protection are the ferries. They are very exposed and unsecured. The government must immediately post security personnel for screening both passengers and vehicles that enters our ferries. People, vehicles and every other thing entering the ferries must be vigilantly checked. The government should also ask partners to help us secure scanning machines/ X-Rays to be placed at our ferry terminals. It is also time for the schools to employ security guards. Finally the FM stations in SL need to embark on sensitization of the public to help them be vigilant in observing and immediately report strange people and strange acts. The security of our country is the responsibility of each of us. Let us be alert!!! AS MUSLIMS, WE KNOW ISLAM WHICH MEANS PEACE ACQUIRED BY SUBMITTING OUR WILL TO GOD, DOES NOT PREACH KILLING D INNOCENT.
Posted on: Wed, 25 Sep 2013 01:06:53 +0000
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