NAIROBI, Kenya, May 24 (UPI) -- A dispute over the leadership of the East African Submarine System (EASSy) underwater telecom cable reportedly could cause the whole project to fall apart.
The EastAfrican said this week that Kenya was prepared to withdraw from the project over what officials see as South Africa's attempt to transfer control of the project to a new entity led by the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD).
Nairobi is concerned that the change will knock the $280 million project back to square one and cause unnecessary delays. Kenyan officials have warned they would consider pulling out and launching their own cable project.
The South African side contends the current arrangement carries no guarantees that Africa's international calling rates will decline or that all players will get access to the cable.
The EASSy cable will provide a telecom link from East Africa to much of the rest of the world.
