AL-SHABAB HAS CROSSED THE RED LINE – LET THE WORLD RESPOND WITH AN IRON FIST

For three days running, international media focus has been on the Westgate Mall siege in Nairobi, Kenya. Various media organizations have mounted cameras and paraded personnel to monitor the unfolding carnage from that unprecedented terrorist attack. For a very long time in this very peaceful country of ours, the word 'terrorism', has been more of an abstract terminology to most of us. I never thought we were ever going to see a morning like the holiday, Monday, 23rd September 2013, where radio programmes would be dedicated to discussing terrorism.

All because on Saturday, 21st September 2013, at the Westgate Mall, our very being as humans came under attack in the vilest possible way you can ever think of by a group of cruel, barbaric and impious folks I find it difficult to call fellow 'homo sapiens'. Body parts were dissipated from machine gun shots; blood was spilled by grenades thrown from the hands of Al - Shabab militants; people were left terrified after close shaves with death itself; and a celebration of International Day of Peace was shuttered by the wailing and grieving of a nation. All in the name of protesting the involvement of Kenyan troops in the fight against the terror and high handedness they have been subjecting residents of Southern Somalia to (in the name of Sharia Law) over the years.

It's hard to imagine no matter the level of provocation, why any group of people would commit their lives to the hatching and execution of murder plots, targeted at innocent men, women and children. I can't just understand why anyone would find joy in making it their business, the dispensation of sorrow and grieve onto families and communities, throwing nations into state of mourning. We cannot get back the lives that were lost on that dreadful day, but to the over 60 families who have lost relations in this despicable act of terrorism, including our own Prof. Kofi Awunoor's family, we kneel to pray with you today, that Heaven strengthens you through these difficult times.

But the story must not end there. Al - Shabab has crossed the 'red line', and the world must respond with an iron fist. We need to show those who appear to find joy in harming us that they cannot escape the long arm of justice. We need to show the murderers that in the words of former US President George Bush after the 11th September 2001 attacks: 'Whether we bring our enemies to justice, or bring justice to our enemies, justice would be done'. We need to send a clear message across to those who think they can slaughter innocent souls as chefs cut the throat of chickens that we would not continue to allow them to display such disgraceful disregard for human life, and go scot free. And this call to duty should not rest solely on the shoulders of President Uhuru Kenyata, but also all other world leaders, from Europe to America, to Asia, and to the ends of Planet Earth.

One of our own as Ghanaians being a casualty could not have painted the picture any better that evil can't be any closer to home. It could have been me; it could have been you; it could have been one of Barack Obama's daughters; or even Saddam Hussein's nephew.

Terrorism in any part of the world is an attack on the whole world. In times like this, I begin to understand the rationale that inspired the government of the United States of America to attack Afghanistan in pursuit of terrorists in 2001. I tend to understand why they continue to drop bombs in Pakistan and Yemen because they feel strongly in their spirits that the responsibility to protect their citizens from such satanic inspired attacks should have no limits. We need to watch the excesses that come with their approach to the war on terror, but I think it is that kind of motivation that should be driving all world leaders when it comes to the fight against terrorism.

So let's get high handed with Al - Shabab. The very idea of ever wanting to negotiate with them to put down their arms and ammunitions should be thrown to the dogs. What the world should rather do is intensify military action against Al - Shabab in Southern Somalia; we should take the battle to them; let's wage the 'America invasion of Afghanistan kind of war on terror' on them; an invasion with boots on the ground and supporting air power to finish them for good. We would deal with the repercussions that follow.

What the world has achieved already against terrorism is what gives us hope for what we can achieve tomorrow. The fact that the Americans succeeded in killing Osama Bin Laden should encourage all of us to believe that defeating terrorism is not a farfetched wishful thinking. And the same should apply to Boko Haram, Al Qaeeda and their cohorts. This is certainly the first terrorist attack we have seen in Africa. But with 62 deaths and counting, Al - Shabab has crossed the red line, and the world needs to respond with commensurate force. This fight against violent extremism has reached its most desperate hour, and we need to show the evil minded folks that we are not ready to give in to fear.

I would end by heaping a bunch of praises on the thousands of Kenyans who have braced the odds and stood by their nation in these most difficult times. For offering the wounded their blood, and as security personnel, putting their lives on the line to bring the stand off to an end, we say thank you to them. God is watching over you, and you will prevail, and Kenya would recover from this tragedy too, even stronger.

Long live to Planet Earth, and short live to terrorism.

By Joseph Opoku Gakpo / www.josephopokugakpo.wordpress.com