Elders to lead war against violent extremism

Elders to lead war against violent extremism

The National Council of Elders now wants the government to support efforts by elders in the fight against violent extremism and radicalization in the country.

Speaking after a two-day meeting in Isiolo to discuss the importance of elders’ involvement in fighting radicalization at grassroots levels, the elders led by their Chairperson, Phares Ruteere, urged the government to desist from using combative methods to eliminate radicalization saying that propagation of extremist ideas is done through psychological approaches.

Rueteere now says that the council will work closely with security agencies at all levels in areas affected to ensure that radicalization of youth in the country is a thing of the past.

On his part, the Secretary General, National Council of Elders, Eng. Patrick Muiru, noted that the role the council will be playing will only be supplementing efforts by the government in dealing with violent extremism and radicalization.

Muiru accused the government of using force in dealing with suspected perpetrators of violent extremism which he said is futile in eliminating the vice adding that radicalization and extremism are psychological issues and psychological methods should be incorporated to deal with the vice.

Muiru now says that the council will coordinate the elders in areas affected to work from the grass root levels to coordinate activities with an aim to ensure communities are educated on the negative effects of radicalization and violent extremism.

The meeting brought together elders from six counties of Isiolo, Wajir, Marsabit, Moyale, Madera and Garisa where the issues of radicalization and violent extremism have been reported.

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isiolo extremism elders radicalization

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