Somali Islamist rebels ban mobile money transfers

20 Oct 2010

Islamist militant group al-Shabab said on Monday (18 October 2010) it would ban all mobile phone cash transfers in Somalia. The rebels released a statement ordering three local mobile phone companies which have developed the popular service in the country to stop mobile money transfers within three months.

Al-Shabab argued that the transfers were "unIslamic" and could allow the mobile operators' foreign partners to interfere in Somalia's economy. A report by news agency AFP mentions that observers believe the group wants to guarantee business for non-mobile money transfer systems which it can control more easily.

Mobile phone banking was first made available in northern Somalia in 2009, but quickly spread across the country.

Source: Panos London

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