Pastoralist communities in Gedo region have begun to migrate with their livestock to Lower and Middle Juba regions due to drought and famine that have been crippling Gedo in recent years.
Radio Ergo’s local reporter said most of the pastoralist families are moving from the rural areas surrounding Gedo’s six largest districts of Dolow, Baledhawo, Luq, Elwaq, Garbaharey and Burdhubo.
The latter two districts have been under siege since al-Shabaab imposed a road blockade on them earlier this year. Abdullahi Diriye, a herder, trekking with his livestock to Middle Juba region, said conflict and the blockade had made their life too difficult.
“We haven’t received sufficient rains in recent years and the livestock can get nothing to eat from the region,” he told Radio Ergo. He said rains were falling in neighbouring Juba regions, which was attracting them there. The blockade, he said, had denied pastoralist people access to the local markets to sell their livestock. This, coupled with the poor condition of the animals, meant prices had fallen dramatically.
Salihi
