Hargeysa, Somaliland, July 26, 2008 (SL Times) – The Somaliland government is facing strong public criticism for blocking close to ten thousand sheep from being exported to Arabia through the port of Berbera .

Since last week, livestock traders in Buroa and Hargeysa have been taking large quantities of sheep to the Red Sea port of Berbera in defiance of a government decision giving a Saudi businessman called Al-Jabiri exclusive rights to Somaliland 's livestock exports.

Saying that the government has no right to exclude any citizen from the livestock export business, the Union of Livestock Traders vowed to challenge the deal between the government and Al-Jabiri, encouraging its members to send their animals to Berbera.

Around several thousand sheep reached Berbera by last Monday which prompted Mr. Riyale to send armed troops from Hargeysa to the part town in an attempt to stop the animals from shipment to Saudi Arabia .

The chairman of the Livestock Traders Union Mr. Awal Bari was also arrested earlier this week. He was released on Wednesday.

A clash between the government and livestock traders opposed to monopolistic control given to Al-Jabiri over livestock exports may trigger a wider confrontation.

The independent traders enjoy the support of the overwhelming majority of the Somaliland public which considers the deal with Al-Jabiri as unfair.

Analysts believe that any government attempts to use force against independent traders is likely to provoke a tremendous back-lash that might hasten Riyale's down-fall.

On Thursday the minister of Interior Abdillahi Erro and the minister of Aviation Ali Waran-Ade met with representatives of the independent traders.

A break through to diffuse the tension seemed likely when the two ministers agreed to a suggestion by the traders that the government allow their livestock at Berbera to be shipped out.

However Mr. Riyale on Friday vetoed the deal.

Home | Contact us | Links | Archives | Search