Terrorists, thieves lead the way in Common Market

If the barriers to organising terrorist attacks are so low, surely the ones to doing legitimate business must be even lower.

Secondly, all the Somali, Kenyan, and Ugandan plotters of July 11 have one thing in common — they are radical Muslims.

However, when we talk about the “EAC structures,” we never mention religion.

The terrorists have now taught us that religion, or more specifically the mosques and churches, can be a good distribution channel for East African sentiment, goods, and services. Now, I would never have dreamt of that one.

Thirdly, with the launch of the East African Common Market still just a few weeks old, the terrorists have taught us that it is those who move first and fast who will succeed.

The next group of terrorists planning a pan-East African attack is more likely to be caught than the ones who set off the bombs in Kampala.

Likewise, new businesses that will succeed from the new Common Market are the ones that will move today, and not wait until the field is crowded.

The cloud of East African Terrorism Inc has a silver lining after all. It proves that the East African Community works and is full of opportunities.

Charles Onyango-Obbo is Nation Media Group’s executive director for Africa & Digital Meida. E-mail: cobbo@nation.co.ke