HELP STOP CORRUPT AFRICAN GOVERNMENTS FROM TURNING YOUNG AFRICANS TO TERRORISTS

I don’t intend to scare you, but there are some potential dangers ahead of us. Take a moment to recall where you were and how you reacted to the agonizing news of the September 11, 2001 attacks on America. How did you feel about the September 1, 2004 Beslan school carnage, when extremists slay hundreds of innocent children and defenseless adults in Russia? What about the July 7, 2005 rush-hour bombing of public transportation in London, United Kingdom? Have you forgotten the November 28, 2008 Mumbai, India, attacks? Do you remember the September 21, 2013 Westgate Mall shooting in Nairobi, Kenya? Are you aware of the epic waste of human lives and assets by the Nigerian terrorist group, Boko Haram?

I wish no nation would produce perilous citizens who partake in extremism ever again. Regrettably, no one knows what, who, when, where, and how terrorists would strike again. It appears more horrific when one imagines who the next victims might be. They could be people you know, your loved ones, or even you. The consolation here is that we could prevent terrorism and allied threats from growing if we do our parts. There are exceptions, but many terrorists are ignorant and jobless youth, recruited, indoctrinated, and trained by religious fanatics. Many of the recruits are uneducated youth with marginal hope, little to be proud of, nothing to live for, and nothing to lose if they die for a cause that promises them ‘eternal bliss.’

Religious fanaticism is pitching its tents in the heart of Africa. Other adversities like maritime piracy, kidnapping, armed robbery, and illegal migration to Western countries are thriving, too. Additionally, the illnesses initiated by poverty and dearth of reliable medical facilities are spreading around the world. That is because many African governments and officials are creating the conditions that promote the above vices. The unethical officials steal the money meant for educating African youth; pinch the one meant for healthcare; and pocket the allocations intended for creating jobs for the young people. In the end, all of the nations in the world (mostly Western nations) pay for the problems created by the corrupt African officials.   

Most African officials hide the money they steal from Africa in Western nations. Such money appears profitable to Western economies initially, but the consequences of terrorism, piracy, illegal migration, and diseases end up costing those nations more. We could reduce these vices by making Western governments do the following: (1) Enact laws that make it a crime for Western institutions, organizations, and individuals to receive the money stolen from Africa. (2) Make it a felony for Western multinationals (oil, mining, manufacturing, distribution, et cetera) and non-governmental organizations from aiding corruption in Africa. (3) Stop and repatriate the money and natural resources stolen from Africa. (4) Make verifiable transparency a condition for African nations that seek relationships with Western nations. (5) Expose corrupt African officials who hide or spend stolen money in Western nations.

We live in one world with one destiny, where what goes around comes around. Please, sign and pass this petition to everyone you know. Help reduce terrorism and the other adversities.

Sincerely,

Dele Ajaja, USA.