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| Africa Horn | |
| Kenya to lift Somalia cash transfer freeze | |
| 2015-06-19 | |
| Nairobi – Kenya’s president ordered on Thursday the central bank to issue regulations and then lift restrictions on key money transfer services vital for Somalia suspended over suspected links to the al-Qaeda-allied Shabaab. Kenya in April froze transfer companies as part of a crackdown on alleged Shabaab supporters following the university massacre of almost 150 people by the Islamists. President Uhuru Kenyatta, in a statement released to mark Islam’s holy month of Ramadan, said he had “noted the proposal to lift the suspension of licences” for 13 registered money remittance providers (MRPs). “I direct the Central Bank of Kenya to immediately issue comprehensive regulations that guide the operation of MRPs, upon which their suspension would be lifted,” Kenyatta added. No date or further details were given for when the suspension would end. Aid agencies criticised the shutting down of transfer services, warning it would hit
Kenyatta also called for a security “review” during Ramadan. In past years Shabaab fighters have intensified attacks during the month of fasting. “Aware that the enemies of our country may wish to exploit this season, I call upon the entire Muslim fraternity and its leadership to remain vigilant, and do everything in their power, to co-operate fully with the security agencies in order to safeguard this holy month,” Kenyatta said. | |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #1 Does this include Minnesota? |
| Posted by: borgboy 2015-06-19 18:49 |