A Safe Way to Kill Terrorism

September 11 is a critical date and stage in the process of a challenging phenomenon for the whole humanity. The terrorist attack on New York and Washington affected not only the United States of America, but the whole world as well. In fact, the entire world was shocked and traumatized by what happened. I can testify to the kind of atmosphere that the destructive action generated in Abidjan, the Capital City of Ivory Coast in West Africa. I still remember how my people were crying on the streets when watching the tragedy on TV. They were asking each other how reasonable human beings could be capable of such a terrible action. A few days after that, the whole world was determined to face terrorist destruction. Nations were linked to struggle against Terrorism. United, they stood for killing Terrorism. That was the starting point of what is called the "War on Terrorism". The goal was to suppress Terrorism. Eradicating Terrorism is a just and good goal. But how do we reach that goal?

A violent attack with heavy weapons on a targeted area is one way. But is it the best way? It certainly causes massive destruction. But does it solve our problem? It surely provides quick solutions and emotional satisfaction. But does it help us reach our goal? Quickly, Afghanistan has been destroyed, yet we are not sure that Terrorism is killed. Many people have been killed, but we are not sure Osama Bin Laden is among them, and we are still afraid of him. Our violent revenge on Afghanistan does not reassure us. Now we think that a war against Iraq could help us reach our goal. Are we sure to kill Terrorism by destroying Iraq? After Iraq, another nation may be suspected because we will not be reassured. And so, the circle of frustration, trauma, revenge and destruction will increase and may end up in worldwide chaos. Is the current war on Terrorism a safe way of killing Terrorism?

The current "War on Terror" destroys facilities and kills people instead of killing an ideology. And our fear of Terrorism remains. Indeed, inside and outside the USA many people are terrified in their daily life about what is going on. It can be said that the current "War on Terror" deals with a poor and short-term strategy. Judging from its outcomes, it seems not to be the most logical way of reaching the right goal. It unconsciously misses that goal. It generates hatred, increases the circle of violence, trauma, and revenge. Rather than destroying Terrorism it is in a way cooperating with the destructive logic of Terrorism. Do we intend to become terrorists in our attempt to stop Terrorism? Do we want the war against Terrorism to be another type of terror? Is our goal to strengthen frustration and trauma through violent attacks or is it to stop frustration and heal trauma? Those questions should challenge each of us.

What if we try to think of long-term and effective strategies? Why can't we be patient by focusing on negotiation and mediation? Or, if those concepts are not clear or acceptable, why can't we resort to our democratic assets and principles? Democracy fosters dialogue, promotes communication through listening and constructive cooperation, taking into consideration different points of view and human rights. This age may be the time for us to experience that every human being is capable of positive change. We can heal violent people through our peaceful and active ways of interacting with them. Aggressiveness does not provide efficient outcomes. What we have to do is heal people from Terrorism. We need to find a safe way of killing Terrorism.

Definitely, a safe way to kill Terrorism is to invest in peaceful relationship building, conducive to global friendship building between nations. Education for peace and international peacebuilding is very needed in this age. Instead of investing in weapons and destructive strategies, we need to invest in peace and constructive strategies. But that is not an easy job. It is demanding. It is time-consuming. It requires patient trauma healing. It is a daily job as well as a generation of work. It is slow but effective. In the context of democracy and globalization, could any nation fully succeed in that huge task without cooperating with the other nations, which are also affected? If we have to stand united, don't we need to stand united, as human beings? And if we need God to bless us in that difficult task, shouldn't our prayer include the whole human community? God bless us all in our daily struggle against Terrorism.

Jacques Koko is a CTP student from Benin, most recently a researcher for the African Institute for Economic and Social Development in Ivory Coast.