(ERGO) – Clan clashes in southern parts of hte norhtern Somali region of Sool have affected business at Lasanod livestock market, leading to a drop in the number of animals for sale and a rise in prices.
The climate of fear caused by the clashes has hindered the transport of livestock for sale.
The price of a goat has risen over the past three weeks from 1.2 million Somali shillings ($55) to 1.5 million ($64). A camel has increased from 14 to 16 million shillings.
Average sales in the market are down from 500 animals a day to just 150 animals. Most of the livestock available is coming from the eastern part of the region.
Pastoralists and other people whose lives depend on the livestock market are feeling the effects.
Amina Warsame Liban, a meat trader and mother of six, told Radio Ergo the price of meat was now unaffordable for most people.
“I used to slaughter around four goats daily and earn 400,000 shillings but now I am getting nothing, only losses,” she complained.
Clan conflict broke out in parts of the region in late May and is continuing. Some of the residents of the affected areas have been displaced with their livestock.
Aden Hassan, who brings livestock from rural areas to sell in Lasanod, said his business is at a standstill. He told Radio Ergo he was supporting his eight member family from his savings, which will not keep them for long. Before the conflict, he used to bring around 100 goats to market every week, making a profit of $5 per head.
On 28 June, two men and a woman travelling were killed at Waqdarin, five km south of Lasanod. The killings caused widespread fear and pastoralists stopped transporting their livestock to the market from the south.
The conflict stems from the killing of a man some years ago and has flared up from time.
In the last negotiation efforts, a chief negotiator of one of the warring clans was killed at the meeting, which triggered the recent clashes.
