Host to the 2010 World Cup, South Africa took tremendous security measures employing over 40,000 police, clamping down on route and border security, building command centers, establishing surveillance and using state of the art communications technology. They also received the full cooperation of the international community in preventing criminal and security threats to the event. I applaud the success of these $170 million security efforts and believe they acted as a deterrent to those who would have gladly attacked the games. Who? For example, Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage, spokesperson for Al Shabab, the Islamic militia trying to impose its extreme form of Sharia law on the Somali population while waging an insurgent war against the Somali government. No fan of the sport, the Sheikh has likened soccer to a satanic act.
And so it is no coincidence that in Kampala, Uganda soccer fans watching the final game between Spain and the Netherlands were struck in terrorist bombings at two different locations on Sunday that killed at least 74 people. Al Shabab terrorists have taken responsibly for these attacks, reiterating their stance that soccer is a satanic pursuit and counter to the strict version of Islam they would impose in Southern Somali. Earlier this month in Mogadishu, an Al Shabab ally, Hizbul Islam, murdered two young soccer fans and arrested two dozen others for watching the games.
Sunday’s attack in Uganda is one of the first Al Shabab has made outside of Somalia and some fear it may represent a beginning of attacks in other neighboring countries who have until now received only rhetorical threats.
One wonders what measures are necessary for stemming the tide of fanatic terrorism on the African continent.
The police agencies of Africa must pool all available intelligence and resources in apprehending the perpatrators and charge them as criminals. The police agencies should work closely with US,UK,EU police colleagues in matters of mutual interest and improving its forensic capacity plus sharing of intelligence/evidential material. They have to develop a short;-med and longterm plan of action to neutralise these radical factions who are brainwashed by certain unstable clergy in believing such utter rubbish. Africa must take hands with the international law enforcement agencies in activating a concertede focus on all radical groups.They must be neutralised via the courts as a matter of urgency. If not, SWC 2014 in Brasil as well as smaller tournaments will be the next targets. They must not gain any confidence; they must be disbanded via normal law enforcement procedures and jailed as criminals never as martyrs.South African Police officials can play a vital role in assisting African states in getting to grips with these ruthless killers. Good luck.Regards.