MONDAY evening attack on patrons attending a concert held by United States resident pop singer, 23-year-old Ariana Grande at Manchester Arena, England is another sober reminder that those bent on terrorist activities are still out there, could strike at anytime, anywhere, and at any target. The death of 22 and injuries to scores, including teenage revelers, say none is considered sacred from this form of violence. And where none is safe it requires all being vigilant.

British police authorities identified the suspected suicide bomber as British born 22-year-old Salman Ramadan Abedi. Reportedly, his violent methodology entailed sophisticated planning and execution. The so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a terrorist organisation, has claimed responsibility, calling the attacker a “soldier.” Whether this claim has any credibility or piggy-backing is yet to be known, but it does not detract from the loss and havoc such acts wreak.

We in the Caribbean, though geographically far removed from such acts of terrorism, are not isolated from them. Outside of having loved ones in countries being attacked, geography does not offer safe heaven or immunity from attacks or being purveyors of the violence. Last weekend Guyana attended the Arab-Islamic-American Summit, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which dealt with the issue of terrorism.

President David Granger in his address to the summit made a direct pitch that “the international community…must be encouraged to work towards the establishment of a global security system, which would provide protection for small and large states.” This appeal couldn’t be timelier.

Small societies such as ours can benefit from technical and financial support, intelligence gathering and sharing, and the development and implementing of local systems to help protect and defend citizens at home and around the world. Terrorism is a global epidemic and the fight against it has to be global. It cannot be over-emphasised, even at this distance Guyana can play a meaningful role by enforcing, and where necessary strengthening, our anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism regulatory framework and institutions.

At the same time overt threats and presence of terrorism in other parts of the globe draw no certainty of acts being replicated. Thus far it is seen each act, though singular in intent, is unique in target. The police recently said its extension of the barriers at Parliament Buildings was a response to the March attack outside the British Parliament. It has to be admitted, even if grudgingly, that those involved in terrorist acts have proven to be demonstrating a level of thinking that requires law enforcement, including ours, being shrewd, perceptive, and seeking to stay ahead of the barbarity.

The truth is no area, space, or person is considered target or safe. To assume destructive acts will target the elites and their dwellings and ignore the rank-and-file or vice versa is not to have a studied or proper understanding of what drives the acts of the masterminds and their willing participants. All need protection, and none should feel isolated, as evident in the approach utilised in large societies.

Where the masses feel their lives matter equally as the leaders they are more inclined to want to look out for themselves and others. In such an environment where attacks occur, it sees a coming together to mourn, find the attackers, deliver justice, and rise stronger together. This unity of purpose continues to prove dividends in the fight against terrorism as it keeps societies united in the presence of adversity.
Terrorism wins when society is divided and loses when it’s united. Developed societies continue to see the benefit of this. In addition to all having that sense of security, they are kept abreast with the level of terror alert, and the solicited support to report any suspicious activity that is taken seriously. A people-centred approach in this fight is something worthy of local examination and implementation.

And given that acts of terrorism exclude none, countering it most importantly requires making every citizen, irrespective of status or locale, feels the state will protect him and her. It is collective work – local and international – including the sharing of intelligence and the guarantee of protection for all that thus far remains the best weapon. Where other countries are leading the way in this regard Guyana can follow suit.