Orange-Liberia has confirmed that the Chief Executive Officer of Orange Liberia, Mamadou Coulibaly, was invited by the National Security Agency (NSA) for questioning in relation to a protest held in Monrovia on June 25, 2020 against the imposition of new surcharges on mobile voice on-net and data.
According to a press release from the GSM operator, “Orange assures the public that Orange Liberia stands by its policy of non-involvement in politics as it is the main rule of conduct within the group worldwide. Under no circumstances does Orange support politics nor has the company or any of its executives been involved in political actions directly or indirectly.”
One of the nation’s leading service providers, Orange, said as it regards to the issue of the imposition of surcharges to current tariffs, and as Orange Liberia’s shareholder, Orange Group has analyzed the impact of the surcharges of the LTA Order 001602-25-19 and concluded that these additional surcharges imposed to GSM operators are jeopardizing their investments and their business continuity in Liberia. Therefore, the Board of Orange Liberia instructed Mamadou Coulibaly, as CEO of the company, to make a case before the courts of Liberia. Orange said, as a law-abiding corporation, they believe that the best recourse is always through the use of dialog with the authorities and the rule of law.
“Orange Liberia has invested more than US$100 million in Liberia since 2016 to provide digital and financial inclusion to the Liberian people and is a key partner in progress for the country’s development agenda. The company has been awarded the 2017 and 2018 best taxpayer award by the LRA, and is proud to contribute to Liberia’s development through the payment of taxes, in addition to its CSR activities.
“Orange is one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators, with sales of 42 billion euros in 2019 and 145,000 employees worldwide at 31 March 2020, including 85,000 employees in France. The Group has a total customer base of 253 million customers worldwide at 31 March 2020, including 208 million mobile customers and 21million fixed broadband customers. The Group is present in 26 countries. Orange is also a leading provider of global IT and telecommunication services to multinational companies, under the brand Orange Business Services. In December 2019, the Group presented its new ‘Engage 2025’ strategic plan, which, guided by social and environmental accountability, aims to reinvent its operator model. While accelerating in growth areas and placing data and AI at the heart of its innovation model, the Group will be an attractive and responsible employer, adapted to emerging professions.”