Benin Gov't Withdraws Telecel's Operating Licence

APA – Cotonou (Benin) The Beninese government has withdrawn and ceded the operating licence of Telecel GSM Benin Ltd to Etisalat, another mobile telephone outfit, official sources revealed here Tuesday.

The government blames Telecel Benin Ltd for "failure to fulfil its engagements toward the Beninese State".

The government has refrained from closing the network as it wants to ensure the continuity of the service, as well as the indirect and direct jobs created by Telecel Benin, the source added.

It has therefore accepted the spontaneous takeover bid by Etisalat, the majority stakeholder of Atlantique Telecom, which itself holds the majority of shares of Telecel Benin.

The Beninese government and Telecel Benin had signed a memorandum of understanding on 6 September under which the outfit pledged to pay 15 billion franc CFA as the first instalment for its licence.

Based on its bid, Etisalat is set to seal a contract to pursue the operations on the Telecel Benin installations.

Posted to the site on 24th October 2007