BBC. 23 November 2001. US shuts down Somalia internet.

Somalia's only internet company and a key telecoms business
have been forced to close because the United States suspects
them of terrorist links.

The two firms, Somalia Internet Company and al-Barakaat,
both appear on a US list of organisations accused of
funnelling money to the al-Qaeda network.

Both companies have stated they are not linked to
terrorists.

Along with denying all internet access to Somalis, the
closures have severely restricted international telephone
lines and shut down vitally needed money transfer
facilities.

Correspondents say the closure of the companies will have a
devastating effect on the country, which desperately needs
the services they provide.

Hassan Barise in Mogadishu told the BBC's Network Africa
programme the said more than 80% of Somalis depend on money
they receive from relatives outside the country.

He said all internet cafes have now shut down and
international phone lines run by two other companies are
failing to cope with the extra pressure of calls.

He also pointed out that the United Nations, local and
international aid agencies, as well as the government itself
all relied heavily on internet access, now denied.

"I would say it is very depressing and if I could find any
stronger word than that I would say it," he said.

He added the impact would be felt even more strongly because
the cuts have come during the holy month of Ramadan.

On 7 November, the Bush administration released the list of
62 organisations and individuals accused of financial links
with Osama Bin Laden.

Reports say the Somali Internet Company was forced to close
when it realised that its international gateway had been cut
off.

Al-Barakaat, Somalia's largest company with interests in
telecommunications, banking and postal services, closed its
financial businesses after its assets were frozen.

Its international telephone service was then shut down when
its international gateway - run jointly by AT&T and British
Telecom - was also cut off.

The company, which has 600 shareholders, is the largest
employer in Somalia.

Hundreds of thousands, if not millions of Somalis depend on
it to transfer money throughout the world.

Somalis living abroad use it to send money to their
relatives back home as there are no other banking systems in
Somalia since the downfall of the Siad Barre regime in 1991.