Efforts to Counter Terrorism and Political Violence

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Terrorism and Political Violence
There have been so many efforts that have been coordinated towards countering terrorism
and political violence. One of the efforts that has been taken by the United Nations is the
implementation of the measures that address the conditions that are conducive to the spread
of terrorism which include encouraging economic development, reducing marginalisation of
countries or regions, preventing and solving both political and non-political conflicts and
encouraging cultural and religious diversity by fostering the understanding between two or
more people of different cultures and religion1. The measures have so far been effective in
countering terrorism mainly by reducing the chances of radicalisation of the vulnerable
member country2. There has also been an emphasis on the need to support victims of
terrorism and political violence which has helped in reducing the chances of planning and
staging a revenge. Besides, the United Nations has formed strict rules and regulations
regarding terrorism and political violence with a view to reducing this menace in the world.
However, these global efforts ostensibly aimed at reducing terrorism and political violence
since 2001 have not been very effective due to increased rates of corruption around the world,
clashing agendas between the human rights activists and the counter terrorism community
and the misuse of the media to spread terrorist information which creates a sense of fear and
insecurity in the society.
The first measure that has been taken to reduce political violence and terrorism is the
uniting of over a hundred countries to fight against this disaster. For instance, in June 2013,
the Task Force Office, partnering with the Government of Switzerland held a counter
terrorism focal point conference in Geneva to discuss conditions that favour the spread of
1Perliger, Political Science & Politics, 50.
2 Caruso, European Journal of Political Economy, 39.

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terrorism3. The conference included almost 150 members of the United Nations together
with both local, regional and international organisations. This is where the various measures
to counter the spread of terrorism were suggested. The suggestions included encouraging
socioeconomic development among the member states, developing counter radicalization
programmes and offering support to victims of terrorism and political violence4. The unity of
many countries in the world to fight terrorism has to a large extent helped in countering
terrorism.
The United Nation has taken several steps in preventing and resolving conflicts within a
nation and between two different countries in conflict. Through envoys and mediators, the
United Nations has with support from the department of political affairs, has been involved in
conflict resolution and in strengthening the fragile democratic member states5. Several
measures have also been taken to reduce the election related violence. The united Nations has
done this either through the envoys and mediators or through the department of peacekeeping
operations whose main role is to see to it that a long-term stabilization is attained after a
conflict. An example of a political conflict that was solved by the United Nations is the 2007
post-election conflict between the former president of Kenya, Mwai Kibaki and the former
Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga6. The post-election violence which lasted for over two
months rented the whole country peace less with a lot of bloodshed. The conflict was finally
settled by Koffi Anan, a mediator from the United Nations. Ever since, the country has been
experiencing peaceful elections.
3 Winkler, In the name of terrorism, 33
4 Abrahms, Comparative Political Studies, 370.
5 Bosi, The Oxford handbook of social movements, 451.
6Feridun and Muhammad Shahbaz., Defence and Peace Economics, 200.

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Cultural and religious diversity has also been fostered through dialogues and
understanding to help reduce conflicts that may lead to ignorance and hate. The United
Nations in partnership with the Task Force Group has done this through implementing a
project proposed in 2014 that required training of some selected media professionals on
proper ways to address the public on matters relating to differences in culture and religion7.
An example of recently selected media professional for training are the Somalia Diaspora
Community. Religious differences in countries are said to be the main causes of both
terrorism and political conflicts which ultimately lead to political violence. Most political
violence arise as a result of political differences but in most nations, especially the
developing ones, the root cause of these violence is the cultural or tribalistic difference8.
Besides, a number of terrorist groups or associations are religious based. This therefore
suggests that solving the cultural and religious differences between people can greatly help in
reducing the political violence and terrorism.
Promoting economic and social development among different countries is another method
that has been used to reduce terrorism. The United Nations has made it a priority that its
member states should have a sustainable economic and social development. Economic and
social development have a direct impact on the peace and security of a country and therefore
indirectly reduces terrorism9. Underdevelopment leads to poverty. When citizens, especially
the youth lack a source of income, they may easily get lured into joining the terrorist’s groups
where they have the opportunity to get huge amounts of money. Alternatively, during a
political violence, most people who get engaged in the wars are youths who are idle and
7
8Bandyopadhyay, Subhayu and Sandler, Economica ,550
9Walsh and James, Comparative Political Studies, 560.