Question

STRATEGIC INTELLIGENCE ANALYSIS-II

5. Gartner identifies that risk appetite statements, governance frameworks and cyber space are among the growing trends that will impact security and risk of leadership and governance in the coming years. There are numerous emerging security threats and risks confronting the African continent in particular. Security however influences a country's developmental process. Insecurity disrupts countries and prevents the achievement of development agendas or programmes of states. Development provides for the well-being of the population. A country that experiences no economic and social development cannot claim the welfare of its people. Critically analyze: (a) relevance and challenges of intelligence as the forerunner for preventing and countering terrorism in Africa; and (b) challenges to sustainable peace and security in Africa with implications for intelligence.

Answer 1

Ans a)

Terrorism has acquired new shapes and forms in modern times. Any form of terrorism is characterized by network that gets illegal funding, access to illegal arms, support from vested interests and religious dogma that is spread through social media and other channels. It manifests itself sometime for social causes but turns sinister gradually.

Intelligence to counter terrorism has to be technologically savvy to scan the social media accounts of potential suspects. It has to have spies that can infiltrate the network mentioned above. It has to be well funded to deploy resources in all sensitive areas. It has to be well coordinated so that inputs from all sources are well analyzed and assessed.

b) Controlling terror is pre-requisite for peace and characterized of African nations. International investments and tie ups will only happen once the investors are assured of stable and secure law and order and peace in the country as business can only be carried out in such an environment. This requires coordinated investment in intelligence to launch a sustainable counter terrorism operation.