Sunday, September 12, 2010

Senegal - Accusations of fraud have led to suspension of links with "Global Voice"

[africasia] A Senegalese business watchdog has suspended a contract between national telecommunications provider Sonatel and US group Global Voice amid suspicions of irregularities, a report said Saturday.

The weekly La Gazette said on its website that the Public Markets Regulation Agency (ARMP) had acted after an anonymous whistleblower drew attention to the terms of the contract.

Sonatel subsequently lodged an official complaint that it had been wronged, La Gazette said, adding that "irregularities are presumed."

The deal providing for Global Voice to manage incoming international telephone traffic had been suspended pending approval by the finance ministry, the report said.

Sonatel staff staged a one-day strike on August 5 in protest at the contract, seriously disrupting both fixed line and mobile communications, as well as access to Internet and emails.

Senegal's National Union of Post and Telecommunications (SNPT) said the move could lead to fraud and have a negative impact on prices for international calls.

Senegal 'halts' disputed tie with US telecoms firm

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