Somaliland Accuses Federal Government of Interfering in Livestock Exports..

Somaliland government Minister of of Livestock has accused the Somali federal government of meddling in livestock exports through the Berbera port, claiming that tax revenues from the trade are being directed to the Somali Ministry of Finance…

Mr.Omar Shu’ayb Mohamed, announced a four-day suspension of livestock exports to demonstrate resistance to Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s recent directive, “President Hassan Sheikh has stated that he will issue a letter to an Arab individual to oversee livestock exports from Berbera. This is Somaliland, and Hassan Sheikh does not govern it,” Minister Shu’ayb said during a press conference.

He added that Somaliland is committed to modernizing its livestock export processes, upgrading Berbera port facilities to handle livestock loading and unloading better, Livestock trade remains a critical revenue source for Somalia and its regions. A World Bank report states livestock exports have injected over $3 billion into the Somali economy over the past five years. Major ports like Berbera, Bossaso, Mogadishu, and Kismayo facilitate this trade, significantly contributing to local and national tax revenues.

The report highlighted that in 2023, Somalia experienced a 92% increase in livestock export value, reaching $1.07 billion, compared to $558.4 million in 2022. This marked the highest value of animal exports in the country’s history.