20110502
Citizen

Dar es Salaam — The Tanzania police force said yesterday that the death of Osama Bin Laden did not mean the end of the war on terrorism.

The spokesperson of the Police Force, Assistant Superintendent of Police Advera Senso, told The Citizen in a telephone interview that Tanzania would never relax on security matters even with the death of Bin Laden.

"His death does not mean it's the end of the war against terrorism in the world; and of course al-Qaeda has recruited many people over the world," said ASP Senso.

However, Ms Senso revealed that the Police Force was yet to be officially notified through the Interpol on the death of the world's most-wanted terror suspect.She said the challenge ahead was to dismantle the al-Qaeda network all over the world, adding that Osama's death would create an impact.

Prof Mwesiga Baregu, a political analyst who teaches at St Augustine University of Tanzania, said the move has marked a very strong political step by US President Barrack Obama's government.He said it was obvious President Obama has succeeded to do what former presidents had failed to do for several years. He added that in one way or another Americans wanted to see Mr Bin Laden being assassinated.However, the don said, in the world of activists for human rights and the right to life, killing Bin Laden was a big blow to President Obama's government.

"Since America acts as the world's prefect on promotion of human rights and the rule of law, it would have been better if Bin Laden had been taken before a court of law to give him the opportunity to defend himself," said Prof Baregu. He added: "I think they should have tried to do something to capture him alive."

Dr Azaveli Lwaitama of the University of Dar es Salaam said it was unnecessary to kill Bin Laden and that his death was against the principles of human rights that America advocates. He said also criticised the celebrations that followed al-Qaeda's leader's killing.

Lwaitama added that the death of the mastermind of the worst terrorist attacks on American soil was the wrong solution for terrorism threats in the world. However, the political analyst said Bin Laden' death was very advantageous to President Barrack Obama as he heads to next year's General Election.

"It is obvious Bin Laden's death will ease President Obama task of convincing Americans to reelect him for a second term," said Dr Lwaitama.

The University of Dar es Salaam's political science and public administration lecturer, Dr Benson Bana, said American troops have made a big step in fighting terrorism and that the assassination of Bin Laden has a massive significance to President Obama's administration.

He said: "I have received the information with positive attitude because Mr Bin Laden has been wanted by the American government for several years, his death has marked a big step in the American history."

However, the political analyst said his support was not on the killing of Bin Laden but on the success in the war against terrorism.

"It should be learnt in mind that killing someone is not something someone can support, but I believe that American troops had remained with no option of getting him alive," said Dr Bana.

Reported by Florence Mugarula and Mkinga Mkinga in Dar es Salaam.