Al shabaab wants safaricom out of NEP, Why?
NAIROBI, Kenya- Al-Shabab and pro-Islamic state militants in Somalia have for the recent years intensified their attacks in North Eastern Kenya.
Since Kenyan troops entered Somalia in October 2011 to fight the Al- Qaeda affiliate group , Al shabab militant have carried out more than 150 attacks on Kenyan soil, targeting buses, schools, police stations, and shopping malls, killing hundreds.
The militant group have mostly targeted ‘safaricom masts’ which belongs to safaricom, the leading communications company in Kenya with the widest and strongest coverage.
On 11th January, 2020, Al- shabab attacked Olla police station in Mandera north and destroyed a safaricom tower which was in the police perimeters without killing or injuring anyone.
Last night, the Islamic insurgents have also conducted a wee- hour attack in Kamuthe, Garisaa county killing three non- local teachers destroying a safaricom mast and an electricity transformer.
According to United Nations Security Council report in 2018 , Al shabab runs a tax system that rivals the federal government of Somalia , the report further indicated that Al- shabab generates tens of millions of revenue annually.
In Somalia, Al- shabab taxes NGOs , communication companies, banks, money transfer companies and busines people by forcing them to pay tax.
One of most reputable companies taxed by Al-shabab in Somalia is Hormud telecom- which is a privately owned tecommunications company based in Mogadishu,Somalia.
Hormud telecom Headquarters in Mogadishu, Somalia
According to the UN report, the mobile telephone company has been on so many occasions accused of paying millions of shillings to the jihadist group for protection of its business in areas still under control of the militant group.
The alleged link between Hormuud Telecom and the militants is detailed in a 50-page report published by the International Policy Group last month titled ‘Reaping the Whirlwind’.
However Hormuud has refuted claims that it pays in excess of $200,000 (Sh20.5 million) monthly to Al- shabab.
Back to Al- shabab attacks on Safaricom masts in kenya, the militant group have been reported to have signed a deal on how to put an end on safaricom network dominance in Northern kenya, the telecommunications company has been hinted to be planning to start it’s operations in North Eastern Kenya.
The strategy has previously worked in Mandera county and some of it’s residents are now depending on Hormuud telecom network to communicate with their families in Somalia , Hormud has one of it’s biggest tower in the boarder town of Beled Haawo, Somalia which according to the local users is cheap, efficient and faster.
Opinion article, By; Asal Media Team
I would have advise u remove this nonsense from ur website, u are giving alshabab publicity