The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) has raised strong concerns about the dangerous trend of politicians allegedly sponsoring violence to gain political advantage. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, he stressed that security agencies—including the DSS, NIA, NFIU, and DIA—are actively working to identify and curtail such activities.
According to him, some political actors may be deliberately manipulating armed groups to create insecurity, discredit the government, and destabilize the electoral process.
“You cannot rule out the fact that some people are controlling these groups to show there is no peace and to discredit the government. But then, how do you want to govern people you’re killing? What do you gain from it?” he questioned.
The CDS further emphasized that while legal interceptions and prosecutions are ongoing, the judicial process often slows down the fight against politically-sponsored violence. He called for legal reforms and possibly special courts to fast-track cases of terrorism financing and political violence.
“The idea of special courts is being considered to ensure quicker and more effective justice, while still operating within the principles of democracy,” he noted.
He warned that the realization that some politicians could be intentionally disrupting peace during election periods is both cynical and troubling, but cannot be ignored.
