What`s the motive behind these attacks in Zanzibar?

 

The inhuman incident in which a Roman Catholic Priest was attacked by chemicals believed to be acid paints a gloomy and frightening scenario in Zanzibar, a romantic and peaceful Indian Ocean archipelago slowly turning into a heaven of criminals.

The incident, which occurred on Friday, hardly a month since two British young girls suffered acid attacks, is proof that the situation in Zanzibar is now running out of control as criminals rock the island for unknown motives.

If a thorough account of acid attacks as well as other forms of attacks against Christians was to be conducted during the past five years, one would be convinced that all these atrocious incidents have religious undertones behind them.

We at The Guardian on Sunday, so far, do not have any direct proof proving that these attacks are religiously motivated, but the circumstances indicate that the majority of these attacks were instigated by growing radicalism in Zanzibar.

What’s really annoying is the fact that despite various vows by the Police, nothing has taken place, casting doubt on whether the law enforcers have the ability let alone the will to arrest those responsible for these wicked incidences.

When the two young British girls were attacked last month in Zanzibar, the Police as usual vowed to arrest those responsible, but till today, no one has been apprehended. The Police went further, declaring a multimillion-shilling bounty for anyone who could voluntarily give information that could lead to the law enforcers to apprehend the suspects.

The government should go beyond dependency on the Police and form a special probe committee in order to establish the motive behind these attacks. We believe this is the most critical issue that needs to be clearly understood.

Apprehending the suspects is necessary, but understanding the intention behind these attacks is better. Once we know the motive, then as a nation, it would be easy for us to daunt the situation once and forever.

So far, neither the police nor the intelligence can tell us the motive behind these attacks. What we have are mere speculations backed by circumstantial evidence.

Since the Zanzibar situation might have connection with faith based issues, then to approach it, credible evidence is needed before taking staid actions.

That’s why we at The Guardian on Sunday strongly call upon the government to form a special probe committee involving experts from various fields in order to get to the bottom of the situation in Zanzibar.

SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY