We need courage to win war against terror

“How do you defeat terrorism? Don’t be terrorised. Don’t let fear rule your life, even if you are scared,” British-Indian novelist Salman Rushdie once said.

It seems like a simple maxim, but it is a very important one. Terror only wins when we allow it to.

With Al-Shabaab terrorist attacks in recent days claiming the lives of many, including Kenyan teachers and American soldiers, our nation and its leadership face a momentous test.

We should never underestimate the threat posed by terrorism, nor should we let terrorists win by cowering and changing our lives.

Upper hand

Terrorism rarely tries to win wars in the conventional sense. It tries to intimidate a people and their leaders into concessions and appeasement. We know full well what the leaders of Al-Shabaab want, and if they were to win and gain the upper hand, then it would spell disaster for Kenyans.

So, Mr Rushdie is correct that the way to defeat terror is not allowing ourselves to be or feel terrorised.

While some have immediately called on the country to remove the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) from the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) after these attacks, that would mean handing the terrorists a victory.

It would mean showing weakness in front of the terrorists, and as we have learned around the world, appeasement does not work.

Each of us has a role to play in showing solidarity and a unified front. Political debates about the role of the KDF are important but they should not display weakness.

The KDF is the backbone of our defence and security, and we stand shoulder to shoulder with those who stand on the frontlines, and if necessary, make the ultimate sacrifice in defence of the realm.

Calling for their retreat puts them in harm's way as an emboldened enemy smells fear and panic. Giving in to terrorists merely motivates them to greater bloodshed and carnage.

To ensure this does not happen, we can do a lot worse than mimic our Commander-in-Chief. He has been nothing but resolute in the face of terror and unbending in his desire to finish the job in driving out those that seek to do harm to civilians. 

Fire power

The only way to stop terrorists is to defeat them. Over the last few years, there has been the mantra that terrorism cannot be defeated, but the disappearance of Al Qaeda, the crushing of the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka and ISIS in Iraq and Syria demonstrate that it can happen.

Few terrorist organisations can match any organised national army, and the KDF is no exception. The key is not the amount of fire power or armory, it is the will to win and not accept defeat.

As President Uhuru Kenyatta said last July at the African Regional High-Level Conference on Counter-Terrorism at the United Nations: “We have the means and resolve to win this fight; our people demand we take the urgent steps that are required for victory.”

This is the type of leadership that is required to battle and eventually defeat our adversaries.

Of course, it is not easy and there will be setbacks, but these should not lead to a change of direction.

Our resolve, determination and fortitude should match that of President Kenyatta’s, and with that backing, our brave soldiers and those that command them will eventually prevail against the terrorists.

This is a long-term battle, but one we cannot shirk or shy away from. There are only two ways this war against terror ends.

Either they win, which means a Kenya in retreat, constantly looking over its shoulder, no longer sovereign, our children across the country cowering in their beds, tourism drastically reduced, and our economy massively hit that it might not recover, Or we win.

The alternative, the one the president seeks, is that we win. Al-Shabaab and any of its affiliates are defeated and can no longer threaten any Kenyan.

A message is sent out that the KDF is not an army to be trifled with and our leaders are resolute in their actions to defend our nation, its borders and people.

As Rushdie says, the only way to defeat terror is not to let yourself be terrorised. President Kenyatta has held to this adage and this is half the battle. If we do our part, the other half will come as well, and victory will be secured.

 

Mr Mugwang’a, a communications consultant, is a former crime and security reporter. [email protected].