HARGEISA (SD) – The Somaliland government has accused the Federal Government of Somalia of interfering in the export of livestock through Berbera Port, claiming that Somalia seeks to redirect livestock tax revenues to its Ministry of Finance.

Somaliland’s Minister of Livestock, Omar Shucayb Mohamed, speaking to livestock traders, alleged that the Somali government is meddling in Berbera’s livestock exports.

“Recently, the Somali government has been disrupting our livestock exports. Hassan Sheikh [Somalia’s president] said he would authorize an Arab trader to manage the livestock exports from Berbera. This is Somaliland; Hassan Sheikh has no authority here,” said Minister Omar Shucayb.

He further claimed that the Somali government had entered into an agreement with the Arab trader to redirect livestock taxes to Mogadishu. In response, Somaliland halted livestock exports for four days to demonstrate that President Hassan Sheikh’s directives cannot be enforced in Berbera.

The minister emphasized Somaliland’s efforts to modernize its livestock export system, adding that Berbera quarantine centers would be equipped with facilities to simplify livestock loading and unloading.

Every year, millions of livestock, including camels, sheep, goats, and cattle, are exported from Berbera Port.