This epitomises the prevailing wisdom in international development agencies and governments that generally views the double deficit of “development” and “democracy” as the “enabler” of violent extremism. Also driving the thinking on strategies to curb violent extremism is the idea that democracies seldom fight each other. Democracy is neither producing peace nor serving as an effective counterforce to violent extremism. Understanding the space of violent extremism is key to effectively countering the ideologies and strategies of extremists. In this context, preventing and countering violent extremism, popularised by the UN secretary-general’s Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism (January 2016), is better understood as a strategy.

Source: Daily Nation October 22, 2016 20:48 UTC