THE THREAT IS CLOSER THAN FAR: THE TERROR ATTACK ON COTE D’IVOIRE IS A CALL TO ACTION

Yesterday, Grand- Bassam, a tourist town in Cote D’Ivoire was thrown into a state of shock when 16 people were killed by, as we know now terrorists. An eye witness who spoke with the BBC claimed he saw a terrorist shoot a woman in the chest and a baby despite the woman’s fervent pleas.

Soon after, the terror group, Al-Quaida in the Magrib (AQIM) claimed responsibility for the attack in which 14 civilians and two Ivorian forces were killed. It was announced that six of the terrorists were killed in the ensuing attack.

This brings the total number of attacks by these terror organization to three in West Africa alone since November, 2015. The countries of Mali (in November) and Burkina Faso (in January) had all been targeted by these terrorist group and the prediction was that other countries along the West African coast might be hit if their security surveillance is not intensified. 

What is of concern is that, these terrorists seemed to be three steps ahead of the security forces of targeted countries. In the case of Cote D’Ivoire, they undertook this dastardly act before the Ivoirian security forces could crackdown on them. Tensions are now high and many other countries would be on the lookout to avoid getting outwitted and becoming victims of such atrocious deeds.

THE BIG ISSUE:

Security experts have forewarned nations about the spread of terror attacks following the conflicts in North Africa-notably Libya and Tunisia. In Ghana, Dr. Kwesi Aning of the Kofi Annan Centre International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPC), following the insurrections in Libya, cited the many weapons in civilian hands as a potential threat to security.

Coupled with the marauding and increasing ‘arrogance’ of terror power exhibited by Boko Haram in Nigeria, Dr. Aning advised for a concerted action by Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) to halt the spread of this cancer called terrorism.

 It is worth stating that, the attack style employed by these terrorists in recent times follows a particular model. They attack resort or tourist sites or places patronized by foreigners and locals alike.  Here are three examples. When these terrorists attacked Tunisia recently, it was a beach resort patronized by both locals and expatriates. They attacked a holidaying grounds in Mali and hotels in Burkina Faso. The template of attack was repeated once more in Cote D’Ivoire yesterday. Coincidence? Not as I see it.

THE GHANAIAN CONTEXT:

A lot of concerns were raised when Mali was attacked by Ghanaians about the safety of Ghana and whether the security forces are putting measures to ensure the safety of her citizens. The talk intensified when Burkina Faso was hit. Now, our western neighbour has been attacked and the need to ask how prepared our security operatives are at curbing or halting any of these misfortune from happening in the country.

Ghana has, fortunately been spared of any major misfortune that affect its security, survival or people. The country has been spared of any civil unrest or terror attack. Ghana was not affected by the Ebola scourge that swept across the West African regional belt.

This fortunate credits should not delude us into thinking we are special or a favoured country. One is not praying for any misfortune to happen but alert those with power to make decisions to wake up; be alert and institute measures, through education and continuous conscientization of citizens to be vigilant and report any suspicious persons or movements.

The police must also be proactive and not assume a sit- and-watch tactics when reports are made to them by citizens. Yes, not all the reports would be true; there are bogus informants in our midst as former Security Chief, K.B. Quantson would say. However, all reports must be heeded to with seriousness since the day one would pay less attention may be the day these terrorists might execute their heinous crimes. 

What makes this whole situation very frightening is that the terrorists who undertake these crimes are ordinary, everyday folks who are part of us; they live among us. They are locals-homegrown whom may be colleagues or neighbours and even friends. They are not foreigners who travel from a different country, enter the country and cause mayhem although it is the case sometimes.

I would end by sharing a tweet by a friend Jemila Adbulai (@jabdulai) that sums up this essay.

The point of these tweets is this:

- The danger is not as far away as we think
- We are nowhere as prepared as we shd be#CotedIvoire

— #HowToBlogSeries (@jabdulai) March 13, 2016

 We should all be on the alert.