Somalia’s telecommunications company Hormuud Telecom, followed through its threat of settling scores after its base station (BTS) in Gedo was destroyed by ordering the destruction of the Jabir Safariom Telecommunications and BTS Mast. The Somali terrorist group which is largely funded by Harmuud Telecom destroyed Safaricom site at Jabi in Mandera along Kenya Somalia border on 5th September 2030Hrs EAT. This mast was targeted for the second time after it was restored recently to support the 2019 census in the area. The company, during the period ending August 2019, issued a statement through mainstream media in Somalia claiming that unspecified units under Kenya Defense Forces AMISOM contingent were directly or indirectly involved in bombing and destruction of its masts in Gedo region.
Hormuud Telecom now poses a threat to Kenya’s national security. The company with help of the Al-Qaeda branch in Somalia Harakat Shabaab Mujahideen has orchestrated economic warfare against the Republic of Kenya by targeting the country’s critical infrastructure, specifically telecommunications masts along the border areas and economically, by causing revenue losses. The masts also play a critical role in helping combating security challenges along the frontier region. Hormuud Telecom is believed to be funding the terror group besides paying extra money to have elements conduct the attacks against Safaricom Masts. The group is also accused of helping the terror group exploit its network in Somalia to conduct attacks.
Dusit D2 Hotel Terrorist Attack
Hormuud Telecom launched and conducted its business in Nairobi’s leafy business suburb of River Side, just a short drive from Dusit D2 Hotel where Shabaab terrorists in 2019 conducted a terror attack. The company managed and controlled business in Kenya from a white walled and brick-red roofed stand-alone house/ mansion along Ring-Road, Kileleshwa area which is about 100 meters from Dusit D2 building. Intelligence reports links the company to the attack. Hormuud Telecom offices at River Side in the period between 2012 and 2015, the same period Dusit D2 Opened in Nairobi were used to conduct surveillance on the target and subsequent casing of the target. Thailand-listed hotelier Dusit International opened its five-star hotel, DusitD2 Nairobi located off Riverside Drive in the upmarket Lavington area in September 2014 only to suffer setbacks 3years later.
Hormmud Telecom based on these events and overwhelming evidence seems to engage in financing terrorism. The company provided support to the terror cells involved in casing the target inform of encrypted communication equipment and a satellite phone used to call the terror group headquarters ate Jiliib in Central Somalia. The company’s directors include Kenyans, Somali’s and Diaspora. Authorities in Kenya should hold these directors accountable, particularly the Kenyan partners.
