Nurtured by poor socio-economic and political conditions in predominantly islamist, developing countries, a sentiment of revolt, anger and frustration has arousen among majority of population, progressively evolving to reach a state of socio-economic and political uprisings against oppressive, corrupt, autocratic regimes as demonstrated by Arab Spring phenomenon. While on the sideline, some individual elements wanted dramatic and immediate changes of political leadership, societal fabrics and the living conditions by radical, extremist manner, giving birth to terrorist activities, seizing the opportunity of weakness with regard the army and the governing national insitutions. Against the background of non-existent even lack of viable infrastructures, combined with the proliferation of drug-trafficking activities, hostage-taking and porous frontiers in the north of Mali, this african country is a case in point.
Now, the world is witnessing a dramatic situation in Mali, a nation fighting against many sorts of ills from poverty to lack of experiences in dealing with unexpected, life-threatening events. In fact, the reality is that, after independence, African states all saw their troops ill-equipped and weak. Such a sad situation had sparked the outburst of terrorists seeking opportunity to fill the possible vacuum inside the leadership. Terrorists had begun to spread across the sahelo-saharian region and the north of Africa, as well as in other countries of Africa ( Algeria, Libya, Somalia, Nigeria..) and the Gulf countries, boasting of being well armed with sophisticated arms and artilleries. Mali happened to be the theatre of such activities with terrorist Al Qaeda-linked extremist groups, like Aqmi, Ansar Dine, Mujao and others, who succeeded to occupy the whole northern, long neglected region of the country and what the terrorists had considered as their place of choice to settle in and act.
The catastrophic situation in Mali had prompted its neighbouring countries which fear a possible spilling over the entire region, to engage in a overall operations together with the help of ECOWAS with UN mandate to a military action in order to wrest northern Mali. African leaders had called for greater international involvement in order to boost the offensive to halt rebel onslaught..
The Afro-Asian Peoples’ Solidarity Organisation-AAPSO-, considers fighting terrorism is a very important, highly responsible task. There are two ways to attain this goal by adopting far-reaching solution: first, by providing socio-economic infrastructures by promoting and implementing genuine democracy, good governance, conducting of policy covering education, job-creating activities, protection of environment, healthcare services, decent housing. Undertaking the battle against poverty, inequality and discrimination of all sorts, should be the main priority of every nation; second: African nations should provide troops to combat terrorists by military actions as is the case now, as well as to deploy permanent peacekeeping forces in Mali and in the neigbouring countries. In this context, the involvement of the African Union and the United Nations in the Malian crisis is of great importance for this vulnerable west african country to protect it from any destructive activities like that of the terrorists.To some extent, they should help African States undertake the training of African troops so as for the national army to become strong and solid enough to face any possible confrontations thus avoiding foreign intervention. All terrorist sanctuaries, be them in Africa or elsewhere, should be eliminated.
The present offensive of Malian troops sent by many other African countries, is a strong evidence of reinforced cooperation and solidarity in the fight against terrorists. Such operation should be undertaken in a permanent manner until the complete elimination of terrorist presence.
In an increasing interconnected world today, terrorism represents a big threat and huge danger not only to Africa, but also to the entire planet. Global cooperation is needed to combat global terrorism.