Maybe it is a new colonial master who rules by remote control to make the local ruling class dance to the capitalist, socialist, Marxist or other social structure political or economic music.

In the country being ruled some individuals or groups decide they don't like the status quo so they pick up their catapults and vamoose into the bush to play target practice on the invading, occupying or ruling establishment.

hen I lived in Afghanistan every male had a gun stashed somewhere. Even medical doctors had them during and after the Taliban 'occupation'. They claimed the gun - AK47 - was to a man what a catapult is to a young boy! Such modern catapults can have deadly consequences. They cost about 40,000/- and man a sane man would rather half-starve their family than not to own such a gun.

In such a situation if someone decides he or she does not like those in power s/he can mobilise the masses into such a fighting frenzy that the resulting explosive soup can blow the government right off its seat of power. Any entity which tries to destabilise those in power by use of violence are branded rebels and if they target or cause civilian casualties they then become terrorists.

To their supporters they are liberators, freedom fighters but not to the government in power. They say image is everything and perhaps it is. When a government fights back against its suspected terrorists or rebels and in the course of the government 'operation' civilians are killed, a different standard is used to describe the operation and its consequences.

The civilian deaths may be termed collateral damage, and such government may receive a token slap on the wrist from friendly, neighbourly countries or even the wider international community. In the quest for diplomacy convenient language would make a spade a digging instrument. It would seem it is easier to name terrorist groups and individuals, but more tricky when the time comes to name and shame terror states.

There used to be a Black September somewhere in the northern hemisphere before September 11. European nationals of certain countries have at different times been shaken to the core by such groups as Baader Manhoff, ETA, IRA, Sin Fein among others, while Russians have grappled with the actions of Chechen fighters.

Egypt has had its share of domestic terrorism. For years the PLO is labelled a terrorist organisation by Israel and her allies while Palestinians and sympathisers from within and outside the region saw the organization as a voice of their people, perhaps heroes.

The dilemma has always been how a modern democracy can publicly acknowledge that some of the concerns of the so-called terrorist individuals and organisations are legitimate.

Not many national leaders are willing to sacrifice long held beliefs and stereotypes for the long-term good of their people. Too often politics perhaps of popularity or re-election gets in the way.

Over time governments have had to swallow humble pie, sit on the same side as their hated adversaries and negotiate for peace.
Ideological reasons be it political (independence), economic (equity in resource allocation and use) or religious beliefs drive many anti-government forces.
The FRELIMO in Mozambique and ANC in South Africa were perceived as terrorist organisations by the governments of the day while they saw themselves as freedom movements.

Some anti-government forces could be fighting for a separate homeland like the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka or the Bougainville fighters in Papua New Guinea. Some fights are more complex like the Palestinian intifada, or the present Taliban insurgency.

Are they fighting for freedom? The Taliban were ousted from power in December 2001. Now they are putting up stiff resistance to US and allied forces. Were they expected to accept defeat lying down like dead Periplaneta Americana also called the cockroach? When Osama was fighting the Russian soldiers in Afghanistan alongside Afghans with USA support, was he classified as terrorist, or a liberator? By then he was fighting members of one superpower.

Now he seems to be on a crusade targeting anyone connected with his former benefactors. Is it a case of broken promises perhaps? 'Alidhulumiwa'. After the Russians withdrew from Afghanistan, OBL underwent rapid metamorphosis from friend to 'terrorista numero uno.'

Perhaps the only words his former benefactors would like to shout to him are Adios Amigo! Some nations on the five continents may have been waging their individual wars on terror for decades. The present global war on terror was made sexy and holy at a go.

You are either with us or with them devils. I am just paraphrasing cause if we are together, who can be against us? America and allies are spending ten billion dollars per month in Iraq and Afghanistan. If half of the world lives on less than two dollars per day, ten billion dollars monthly for a year can feed and clothe almost 200 million such people for a whole year.

Just imagine how much one hundred fifty trillion shillings to the education sector in Tanzania. That is what they are spending per year chasing an elusive enemy in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Is there light at the end of the tunnel? We donít know how long the tunnel will become. Global terrorism has become stronger. Civilian and military casualties continue to mount while little effort has been directed at addressing some of the concerns of involved groups.

Terrorism whether individual, group or state has no place in society. Those who perpetrate it should be fought and defeated. However if the world does not address perceived social injustices, if certain sections of society continue to feel powerless and dispossessed then terrorism will persist in different forms. Peace does not come through the barrel of a gun or on the back of a fighter plane. It must come from genuine dialogue and a commitment to peace. War pace makers wonít turn peace makers overnight though.

It is unlikely Prez Bush or his administration would agree to a dialogue with Al-Qaeda or their allies anytime soon.
The Tamils and the Sri Lankan government have dialogued, and so has the government of Museveni and LRA's Joe Kony. Knowing when to lose a battle in order to win the war is a measure of a great fighter. A tactical general would withdraw to fight another day.

We must leave this world knowing it will be a better world for our children. If governments (or individuals) fight terror with mighty force, we are teaching present and future generations that violence is the right thing to do. Have a nice Sunday.

The views expressed in this content are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of SiberNews Media.

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