14 June 2019

A member of the Somali parliament has called for all Kenyan soldiers to pull out of the country, accusing the Kenyan Defence Forces (KDF) of vandalising telecommunications masts on the border.

Dahir Amin Jesow, an outspoken lawmaker, accused Kenyan forces of helping telecom giant Safaricom in the trade battle with Somalia telecom companies providing phone services in border areas.

The call came as Somalia’s leading service provider, Hormuud, said a USD1.9m loss was caused by the vandalism allegedly carried out by Kenya.

KDF has been blamed for destroying satellite dishes in Khadijo-Haji village near Bula Hawa town, telecommunication mast in Bardhere district, mast in Elbade town in Gedo, satellite dishes in Elwak, mast and engine in Dhobley and masts near Qoqani town.

According to a parliamentary report, KDF serving under Amisom destroyed communication infrastructure belonging to two telecommunication companies in Somalia valued at close to USD2.5m in the last seven years.

The Lower House Posts and Telecommunication Committee said the Kenyan forces destroyed telecommunication masts, solar panels, generators and fuel tank reserves belonging to Hormuud Telecom and Somtel.