News / Africa
African youths speak on Garrisa students massacre
08 Apr 2015 at 12:09hrs | Views
About 150 people, the majority of them students, were mercilessly killed by Al-shabab terrorists last week at Garrisa University College in Kenya.
The gruesome killing is indeed a global incident as states, corporates and youths continue to pour their condolences to Kenya and families of these youthful souls which were lost for no apparent reasons.
There is no denying evidence, Al-shabab and Islamists fundamentalists through the world are to blame for this bizarre incident which reminds us of the Sharpeville massacre. But, the most heart-numbing fact is on this fateful day the students were not protesting or ever planned anything to that effect.
Youthful souls were sacrificed as the terrorists sought to send a signal to President Uhuru Kenyatta and his government over its role in the ongoing Somalia conflict pitting the weak government in Mogadishu and the Al-Qaeda affiliated Alshabab forces.
This is indeed odd; Africans in the 21 century should use dialogue to solve differences. If Alshabab wants recognition in Somalia then it should do so the normative way. Killing the youths or anyone is madness at its highest point because that will not end the Somalia crisis but rather evokes revulsion and resentment of Muslims around the world.
Youths are future leaders not a site for contestation of military prowess or religious views for that matter. What is happening in Africa where the youths are killed or abducted as terrorists are trying to show off their strength must be condemned by African youths in strongest terms it deserved.
It is heart rending to note that one of the five militants who killed fellow students was a law graduate in Kenya.
Brandishing guns will never end our misery, but rather intensify our poverty and troubles. This is high time, the world knows us for our progressive minds rather than being identified with century old stereotypes; banditry, insurgency and child soldiers.
We are happy that youths throughout the continent are discussing on the possible solutions to this crisis on the social media. Currently there is a twitter handle with a hush tag "#148 is not just a number" which reached 53k shares by yesterday according to social media survey group topsy.
Current African youth leaders are also beginning to voice up against these atrocities and acts of banditry.
"Youths and Students of Zimbabwe extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wishes speedy recovery to all those injured in this tragic attack. Africa should renew its commitment in combating and eliminating extremism, terrorism, and tribalism, from the soil of Africa," said respected youth leader Farai Mteliso from Zimbabwe.
It is very unfortunate that this incident has occurred against a background where the youths in Africa are still trying to come to terms following the abduction of over 250 Chibok girls in Nigeria by Boko haram.
Like the #bring back our girls campaign which later turned to be a bring Goodluck Jonathan down, this campaign should pressure President Kenyatta to put reforms which guarantee the safety of every Kenyan failure to do so shall register his eminent exit.
On the Continent, it is high time youths take a proactive role to ensure their security is guaranteed. Gone are the days, when the youths would leave everything in the hands of the politicians.
Closer home, Renamo is still intact in Mozambique and Unita in Angola is alive, the youths must pressurize their governments to find a lasting solution before Africa turns into a bloody zone.
Boko haram started as unruly youths with pangas but has now grown to a fully fledged group with a potential to destabilize the whole of West Africa. Our youths who have been marginalised by governments are easily lured by these terrorists.
So the next African union summit must discuss security on the continent in the context of youth empowerment. Youths are targeted for recruitment by terrorists and we are currently facing the brunt of terrorism as thousands of youths are maimed, abducted, raped and victimized by these terrorists groups.
It's now or never.
----------------
Musavengana Hove is a youth activist in Bulawayo. Email soldierjournalist@gmail.com for feedback.
The gruesome killing is indeed a global incident as states, corporates and youths continue to pour their condolences to Kenya and families of these youthful souls which were lost for no apparent reasons.
There is no denying evidence, Al-shabab and Islamists fundamentalists through the world are to blame for this bizarre incident which reminds us of the Sharpeville massacre. But, the most heart-numbing fact is on this fateful day the students were not protesting or ever planned anything to that effect.
Youthful souls were sacrificed as the terrorists sought to send a signal to President Uhuru Kenyatta and his government over its role in the ongoing Somalia conflict pitting the weak government in Mogadishu and the Al-Qaeda affiliated Alshabab forces.
This is indeed odd; Africans in the 21 century should use dialogue to solve differences. If Alshabab wants recognition in Somalia then it should do so the normative way. Killing the youths or anyone is madness at its highest point because that will not end the Somalia crisis but rather evokes revulsion and resentment of Muslims around the world.
Youths are future leaders not a site for contestation of military prowess or religious views for that matter. What is happening in Africa where the youths are killed or abducted as terrorists are trying to show off their strength must be condemned by African youths in strongest terms it deserved.
It is heart rending to note that one of the five militants who killed fellow students was a law graduate in Kenya.
Brandishing guns will never end our misery, but rather intensify our poverty and troubles. This is high time, the world knows us for our progressive minds rather than being identified with century old stereotypes; banditry, insurgency and child soldiers.
We are happy that youths throughout the continent are discussing on the possible solutions to this crisis on the social media. Currently there is a twitter handle with a hush tag "#148 is not just a number" which reached 53k shares by yesterday according to social media survey group topsy.
Current African youth leaders are also beginning to voice up against these atrocities and acts of banditry.
"Youths and Students of Zimbabwe extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wishes speedy recovery to all those injured in this tragic attack. Africa should renew its commitment in combating and eliminating extremism, terrorism, and tribalism, from the soil of Africa," said respected youth leader Farai Mteliso from Zimbabwe.
It is very unfortunate that this incident has occurred against a background where the youths in Africa are still trying to come to terms following the abduction of over 250 Chibok girls in Nigeria by Boko haram.
Like the #bring back our girls campaign which later turned to be a bring Goodluck Jonathan down, this campaign should pressure President Kenyatta to put reforms which guarantee the safety of every Kenyan failure to do so shall register his eminent exit.
On the Continent, it is high time youths take a proactive role to ensure their security is guaranteed. Gone are the days, when the youths would leave everything in the hands of the politicians.
Closer home, Renamo is still intact in Mozambique and Unita in Angola is alive, the youths must pressurize their governments to find a lasting solution before Africa turns into a bloody zone.
Boko haram started as unruly youths with pangas but has now grown to a fully fledged group with a potential to destabilize the whole of West Africa. Our youths who have been marginalised by governments are easily lured by these terrorists.
So the next African union summit must discuss security on the continent in the context of youth empowerment. Youths are targeted for recruitment by terrorists and we are currently facing the brunt of terrorism as thousands of youths are maimed, abducted, raped and victimized by these terrorists groups.
It's now or never.
----------------
Musavengana Hove is a youth activist in Bulawayo. Email soldierjournalist@gmail.com for feedback.
Source - Musavengana Hove
