Does democracy help terrorism ?

It is a very common but dangerous idea to say that islamism takes advantage of any progress of democracy and that, subsequently, democratic moves promote terrorism. A very good example was provided by a report, dated from Nouakchott (Mauritania), published in the French conservative daily Le Figaro (read the article here). Under the title ‘democratization of Mauritania helped islamic radicals’, the reporter explains that the country experienced a move to polical liberalization after the coup that ousted the (pro-western) dictator Maaouyya Ould Taya a couple of years ago. The writer then quotes an ‘intellectual’ saying : « That was a mistake because in this country with an oriental mentality and where the public strongly ask for despotism, that was a democratic concession that sounded like admitting weakness. »

No wonder that with such intellectuals (hopefully anonymous, the worst source ever in our job), Mauritania will not move very far towards democracy. This kind of report propagates the idea that a part of mankind cannot access to democracy, or should not. And if it does, it would become dangerous.

Should we explain again that dictatorship and denial of sovereignety are the main reasons for the development of violent action, such as terrorism.

But democracy is a principle that we tend to use only when it serves our interests…

Déby: Too much democracy destroys society

Chadian president Idriss Déby, who accessed to power in 1990 thanks to a coup ran by the French DGSE, and was recently “armoured” by France, is not precisely a friend of democracy, as he explains in this speech, reported by AFP (source here).

I would honestly be surprised to see any reaction to these words coming from the French governement. Actually very few people believed Sarkozy’s promises, as he was running for presidential elections, to renew the relationship between France and Africa.

Gloves are off, Chad president warns rebels

N’DJAMENA (AFP) — Chad president Idriss Deby Itno Thursday warned of an increasingly hardline response to the worst rebel attacks in the central African nation in nearly 20 years.

Deby, who imposed a state of emergency in the north and east of the country during fierce fighting in October, warned on state radio that rebels in the oil-rich nation would face a crackdown.

“The time has come to take a different approach,” he said. “Too much liberty kills freedom. Too much freedom and we collapse into disorder. Too much democracy destroys society.”

“I have forgiven a lot. I’ve let lots of things go in the name of liberty. (But) the time has now come for each individual to recognise the law and his duties,” he said.

Chad’s three main rebel groups last Friday announced a joint pact to topple Deby.

The so-called “National Alliance” pact groups the Union of Forces for Democracy and Development (UFDD), the Rally of Forces for Change (RFC) and the UFDD-Fundamental.

Deby, a former soldier, appealed for a united front against the rebels.

“The whole country must stand together behind its government. Where (else) in the world have you seen a head of state jump into a Toyota pick-up and head off to war?

“Do you think it’s because I love power that I do it? Not at all, I went off because I don’t want Chad to plunge back into civil war.”

During the recent fighting which was the worst military challenge since he seized power in December 1990, Deby lost several members of his immediate entourage, according to military sources.

Accusing neighbouring Sudan of propping up the rebels, he added: “I am surprised to find today that the Chadian community harbours slaves for Sudan.

“Sudanese money circulates here, everyone sees and knows they are recruiting people from our territory.”