Address root causes of terror atrocities

NOTHING can justify mass murder and acts of terrorism targeted at civilians of any nation. The killing of more than 120 people in Paris on Friday night, as well as the murder of more than 40 people in two bomb attacks in Beirut a few hours earlier, have sent shock waves throughout the world.

The precision with which the attackers carried out their acts of terror in Paris suggests a co-ordinated plan whose main objective was to cause as much carnage as possible.

They targeted a rock concert, an international soccer match between France and Germany, and a number of restaurants and bars around the city.

According to witnesses at the rock concert, the AK47-wielding assailants shouted slogans condemning France’s involvement in the Syrian conflict.

But the Syrian crisis, tragic as it is, does not justify this kind of attack against unarmed civilians.

Those behind the killings used unresolved conflicts in countries such as Syria, Iraq and Palestine as excuses for their murderous intentions. President Jacob Zuma and his government were correct yesterday to join most of the world in condemning the attacks.

As we have seen in recent years with the attacks in Kenya, Somalia and Nigeria, this kind of terrorism is a threat not only to Western countries. The whole world is vulnerable.

It is for this reason that our country and region should work closely with the rest of the continent and the world to try to prevent such killings from occurring in the future.

Following the September 11 attacks in the US in 2001, there has been much emphasis on increased security and counterintelligence in most countries.

However, tragedies such as the weekend attacks in Paris — which President François Hollande blamed on Islamic State, which has claimed responsibility — are a reminder that military and state security solutions to the problem, while necessary, are by no means sufficient.

A long-lasting solution is for South Africa and other nations to work tirelessly for peaceful resolutions to those conflicts, especially in the Middle East, that are exploited by opportunistic terror groups to recruit new members.

Only political stability and the encouragement of true democracy throughout the world can guarantee us victory over these terror groupings. The sociopolitical conditions that help them justify their acts have to be addressed.