MOGADISHU (Halbeeg News) – Hormoud Telcom, one of Somalia’s leading telecommunication companies has distanced itself from the allegations mentioned in a recently published article by Foreign Policy.
In a statement, the company dispelled the accusations levelled against it and termed the article defamatory representation of its services.
“Hormuud is very disappointed by the recent article in foreign policy magazine by Amanda Sperber title ‘Somali is a country without an Army’ in which the author attempted to defame our quality and services,” the statement reads.
Hormoud said it would welcome collaborate with any media willing to have information about its services.
“Hormuud welcomes any media which wishes to learn more about our business and our proud history on built self-reliance, responsibility and service to visit us in Somalia rather than making wild and defamatory statements from afar,” it stated.
Early this week, the article published on Foreign Policy reported that Hormuud helps Al-Shabaab and can easily wiretap Somali soldiers using their mobile phones during the fighting.
“The SNA’s soldiers use their mobile phones—easily tapped by Hormuud Telecom, which has a sizable market share and plenty of al-Shabab influence—to communicate when fighting. Many operate in flip-flops,” FP reported.
Meanwhile, the article also said African Union mission in Somalia (AMISOM) took the lead role in the counterinsurgency campaign, filling in as a de facto army until the Somali National Army (SNA) is strong enough to counter the jihadi group on its own.
One Ugandan AMISOM colonel who spoke to Foreign Policy compared Somalia to Afghanistan.
“If the coalition in Afghanistan left, he argued, the Taliban would easily take the country back. The same was true for Somalia,” he said,
The colonel cast doubt on the possibility of getting stabilised Somalia.
“Somalia is like cleaning a pig, you clean it, and it gets dirty.”
African Union mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has disassociated itself from the article in its entirety.
“The attention of #AMISOM has been drawn to an article published by the @ForeignPolicy Magazine on Aug 7 on the security situation in #Somalia,” AMISOM said, “The commentary and statements made by the people quoted in the story do not in any way reflect the views and position of AMISOM.
The attention of #AMISOM has been drawn to an article published by the @ForeignPolicy Magazine on Aug 7 on the security situation in #Somalia. The commentary and statements made by the people quoted in the story do not in any way reflect the views and position of AMISOM.
— AMISOM (@amisomsomalia) August 8, 2018
#AMISOM totally disassociates itself from this publication in its entirety. AMISOM remains committed to supporting the government of #Somalia in rebuilding national security institutions and commends the progress made so far.
— AMISOM (@amisomsomalia) August 8, 2018
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