In 2010, Al-Shabaab outlawed mobile banking in the territories under its control. It argued that it might channel money to the Transitional

Federal Government replaced by the current internationally recognized government of Somalia.

29 -The relations between the two deteriorated in the interlude following the entry of the Kenyan military forces into Somalia in October 2011. Al-Shabaab resorted to extreme force to get Hormuud to kowtow to its "guidelines”. This followed Al-Shabaab’s realization that most of the information provided by Hormuud, as a provider of data services to customers, was being reported back using social media.30 In January 2014, Al-Shabaab forced Hormuud and Nationlink to block internet access in central and southern Somalia.

31 -On multiple many occasions, Al-Shabaab raided and interrupted mobile phone and internet access in Somali regions. In February 2014, Al-Shabaab operatives stormed into the headquarters of Hormuud in Jilib town, arrested all the mobile phone company’s workers and threatened to kill them if they did not shut down the network and stop the data services. These attacks resulted in Hormuud employees killed, infrastructure and property destroyed and massive business losses. The company complied, shutting down all the data services in the country and incurring a heavy loss of no less than $43 million.

32 -The aim of these raids was to enforce the ban on mobile phone and internet access out of fear that the internet would aid authorities and other actors in tracking their movement and activities.

Tony Onyulo, "More phones, few banks and years of instability are transforming Somalia to a cashless society,” Quartz Africa, February 2016.

"Somalia: Al-Shabaab Shuts Down Telecom,” All Africa, December 8, 2014, Accessed September 8, 2019.

"Netizen Report: Terror Group Forces Internet Shutdowns in Somalia.” Global Voices Advocacy, January 29, 2014.

Ahmed Osman, "Somalia Powerless to Stop Al-Shabaab Mobile Internet Shutdown,” IPS News Agency, February 16, 2014, Accessed September 13, 2019.

There have been reported incidences when Al-Shabaab destroyed masts belonging to Hormuud telecom or shut down the telecom’s operations in certain areas.

33- Members of the organization also used force to demand pay estimated at $50,000 in "taxes.”

34 Hormuud employees have continued to face threats from Al-Shabaab splinter groups and other terrorist organizations such as ISIS.