“The Brotherhood” – Are they for real or is this just another prank?
In an unprecedented move this week a group calling themselves “The Brotherhood” sent shock waves in the country when, in a chilling message reminiscent of international terrorist groups and broadcasted on SBC television, they threatened to target certain individuals in society which they claimed are the “pillars of dictatorship”. The “Brotherhood” claim that their mission is “…to exterminate the pillars of dictatorship and corruption from our country”. They say that “membership of this project is now open to every young man and woman who feels betrayed by the SPPF abuse of our democratic rights”.
Whether “The Brotherhood” has been formed as a reaction to the incident which they have dubbed “Black October” is not clear. However, the question which remains unanswered is whether “The Brotherhood” is a serious organization with a mission or is this just another prank? The message which was accompanied by a picture of a rifle and printed on one A4 sheet seems to be a prank but the Commissioner of Police went on television to inform the public that the police are taking this matter seriously. Protection will be offered to the people mentioned as targets in the message, he said, although the form of protection was not revealed. Experts are yet to determine whether the message is genuine but one is strongly reminded of similar messages sent by terrorist groups around the world to announce their intention before they strike. It is not clear whether “The Brotherhood” is a bunch of copycats but the implication of such a message being propagated in the Country and abroad is enormous, especially to the economy of the country as tourists and even the US navy warships may be reluctant to come to our shores.
Although the group claimed that they are not affiliated to any political party the Commissioner of Police disputed that. However, he was careful not to mention any political party on television. If indeed the group is linked to a political party then parallel can be drawn with the IRA of Sein Fein movement of