Zawaya

Terrorism may be in its last days after the Arab spring

By: Adel Rochdy

Arab revolutions have significantly changed the future prospects of Arab peoples who are about to fully embrace the era of democracy, characterized by a real multiparty system and elections that will most probably be transparent.

Terrorism that had been a definite threat seems to be declining, because it was caught off guard by the successive revolutions that are shaking Africa and the Arab world.

Not too long ago, al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) was described by the regimes in power as a major destabilizing force that nobody could control or eradicate except for the existing dictatorial regimes.

Leaders resorted to this recurrent blackmail to perpetuate their grip on society.
For their part, terrorist groups thought that they had a bright future ahead of them, given the disastrous economic, social and international conditions of the poor populations.

Terrorists are caught on the hop by the Arab uprisings, and no longer have a reason to “take in charge” the anger of the peoples who regained their freedom, and hope about the future.

In this context, the implementation of job creation programmes by the Malian government is all the more significant.

Mali is suffering from serious social and economic deficiencies. Like many African countries, Mali couldn’t achieve development even fifty years after its independence. Therefore, it is absolutely vital that the country implements a serious development policy.

In Mali, the elections were more or less democratic, and the press enjoys relatively more freedom compared to other Maghreb regimes prior to the Tunisian and Egyptian revolutions and the major demonstrations in Morocco and Algeria; but that’s not enough. Mali should follow the example of Arab countries that clearly aspire to breaking with absolutism and paving the way for a truly democratic society, without necessarily resorting to violence.

Employment policies alone are not enough to end the inclination of young people to take up armed struggle and embrace radical Islam. Political movements and parties, and civil society representatives, have to get involved in a consensual legal framework regulating their activities through free expression and the culture of difference.

AQIM has chosen to operate in Mali because this sub-Saharan African country is an ideal location that’s difficult to monitor.

This organization shouldn’t be attacked on the military level only, but also on the ground where it recruits and indoctrinates militants.

Terrorism will possibly still remain for a while, but it will inevitably fade away if African countries initiate a development policy based on a better exploitation of their underground and agricultural wealth.

Today, the vast majority of political actors seem to agree on building a democratic society and sharing wealth, after the three successful revolutions that overthrew the dictators in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and will probably do the same in Yemen and Syria. This has a good chance to become a model for all poor countries.