GLOBAL TERRORISM: CAUSES and SOLUTIONS

The issue of global terrorism has assumed a frightening and dangerous dimension across the globe. It has gone to the extent that an individual's safety in a nation cannot be absolutely guaranteed. Cases of terrorism are taking place daily in different countries of the world, many of which are reported in the newspapers, television and radio. Ranging from suicide bombing like the case of 'World Trade Centre' in United States of America (USA) few years ago, kidnapping of individuals to bombing of aircrafts and others, terrorists attacks are taking place daily.

If one pause to ask why the several cases of terrorism in the world? Are there solution(s) in sight? It is pertinent to note that the issue of global terrorism is as old as the history of life itself. It is thus not a new phenomenon. Even in the Holy Bible of the Christians, cases of terrorisms abound in those days, which were reported.

One of the factors that are causing terrorism today is the increasing rate of science and technology development in the world. While one cannot dispute the fact that science and technology has brought lots of development to the world, many hardships are also associating with it. Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan were bombed during the second world war by atomic bomb, which was then newly produced and had to be tested.. There is no doubt that many courtiers of the world had developed greatly in the area of science and technology. Many dangerous chemical weapons, war equipment and machines had been produced.

The issue of religious intolerance in the world is a cause of great concern. In most nations of the world, there is rivalry between the followers of Islamic and Christian faiths. Followers of each faith have not been tolerant of the other as they are easily provoked by the actions / activities of the other. Some of the past cases of terrorism in the world were therefore premeditated on religious issue. Example being the case of the bombing of World Trade Centre by Osama Bin Laden and his followers.

Conflicts at international level further promote terrorism. When there is dispute between or among countries of the world, citizens of one will try to attack the other to claim superiority of power. Personal conflict among leaders of countries further promotes terrorism. Leaders of a country can decide to sponsor terrorists to attack another country in dispute with.

The desire to harness wealth further promotes terrorism. There are situations where leaders of nations would try to terrorize citizens of another to gain access to land containing mineral resources like 'Oil'. The case of attack on the citizens of Iran and Kuwait in 1990 by Iraq and on citizens of bakassi peninsula by soldiers of Cameroon is a reference points. Another factor of interest is boundary dispute. Today, many countries terrorize one another due to boundary encouragement

One of the steps that need to be taken to combact terrorism is by stopping the production of chemical weapons and controls strictly the production of war equipment and machines in various countries. United Nations should therefore continue to carry out investigations of those countries that are still producing these dangerous weapons sp as to reprimand them and should continue to mediate in the conflict among countries and their leaders to ensure peace in the world.

There should be universal law against terrorism in the world. Those caught in the act should be arrested, tried internationally and if found guilty, convicted.