Saudi authorities block ship carrying Somaliland livestock

Hargeisa, July 14 (SomalilandStandard) The Somaliland government has confirmed that a ship carrying 20, 000 goats and sheep that left from Berbera port four days ago is still stranded in the Saudi port of Jeddah.

This comes after the Saudi Arabian authorities have imposed on a new regulation which stipulated that all livestock export from Somalia including Somaliland must have a medical license certificate issued by the ministry of the livestock of Somalian Federal Government and its affiliates.

This was clarified by the minister of the livestock of the Republic of Somaliland, Mr. Hassan Mohamed Ali aka Hassan Gafaadhi, in a joint press conference held in Hargeisa flanked by the chair of Somaliland’s chamber of Commerce, Mr Jamal Aideed.

The government had strongly protested against the Saudi demand that it imposed on livestock export to Saudi Arabia during the Hajj time.

The minister for livestock said previously that Somaliland won’t compromise its statehood on livestock export to Saudi Arabia.

The minister of livestock for Somalian authority is reported to be in Saudi Arabia and is believed to be the one who is behind the new regulation which Saudi imposed on Somali livestock export.

Somaliland is adamant that it won’t allow traders to export livestock with the health certification from Somalia.

Somaliland also asserted clearly that the ministry livestock will issue the medical certification in regard to the livestock. The minister also insisted upon that exported livestock from its ports and borders won’t return.