Somalia: Tensions At Somaliland Port Between Govt, Livestock Traders

Posted to the web 24 July 2008 There are growing tensions in the northern Somali port city of Berbera between the local Somaliland administration and livestock traders, who have opposed the administration's economic deal with a wealthy Saudi Arabian businessman. The news Website Somaliland.org reports that traders have brought thousands of livestock to Berbera for export to the Middle East in recent days. But the Somaliland administration has deployed extra troops and armored vehicles in Berbera, especially at the port and around facilities holding the more than 9,000 livestock, according to Somaliland.org. In 2007, Somaliland leader Dahir Riyale inked a controversial agreement with al Jabberi, giving the Saudi company exclusive export rights to the region's livestock. The administration recently put a halt to livestock being... [read full story]