The fight against terrorism should not be selective

Editor, RE: “Terror is the same in Paris, Garissa or Kigali and must be fought the same way” (The New Times, November 16). Dear Mr. Rwagatare, it is naive to think that there are universal rights and morals; these are determined by those with power to enforce theirs. Meanwhile, what you are doing is correct—at least to voice another view. The way forward for those of us who are not powerful is to be strategic, mind the situation before any move and keep investing in people to build a strong nation of people that are capable of producing the kind of know-how we need to one day be counted among the greatest and enforce our values. Talking about investing in people, the crisis in Europe is offering many immigrants something to ponder: the chaotic situation and the rising hatred against immigrants’ exodus, yet we have not seen any African nation welcoming the immigrants. There is so much to reap if a government in Africa would genuinely set its nation on a welcoming path—this would have more value than the much veneered natural resources discoveries. Gill **************** Dear Rwagatare, you rightly put it. Whatever the motive—political, economic, etc—can never justify senseless killings of innocent people of whatever colour, black, white or mix, going about their ordinary lives. A war using terror campaign, whatever the grievance, is barbaric, and the terror attacks in Paris should be condemned by the entire humanity in the strongest terms. However, as you’ve rightly analyzed too, the existing confusing perceptions is unfortunate; it shouldn’t be terror to some circles and heroic acts to others, to the extent that some terrorists are even groomed elsewhere. Waging a divisive war against the threat of terrorism will never defeat it. Donart

Opinions

The fight against terrorism should not be selective