Sep 1, 2016
BERBERA, SOMALILAND —Every year, the breakaway republic of Somaliland, in east Africa, exports millions of livestock to Saudi Arabia to feed the millions of Muslim faithful making the pilgrimage to Mecca.
From the hinterlands to the capital, Hargeisa, millions of sheep and goats are on the move in the small self-creation republic of Somaliland.
The animals are en route to Saudi Arabia for use as sacrificial offerings for Muslims making the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca calls the Hajj.
The livestock trade to the Middle East accounts for 60 percent of Somaliland's gross domestic product and 70 percent of its jobs.
Some Muslims consider the black-headed sheep to have religious significance relating to the prophet Abraham.
Herders guide goats and sheep the at the livestock market in the Somaliland capital Hargeisa before sending them to the port of Berbera for export, August 9, 2016. (J. Patinkin/VOA)
Mowlid Hassan Jama has worked at Hargeisa's livestock market for ten years.
"I earn my livelihood from this livestock, and secondly, I feel I'm supporting the Islamic community in having a good Hajj festival," said Jama.
Once sold in the markets, the animals are trucked to the Red Sea port of Berbera, where they wait in quarantine for weeks receiving blood tests and vaccinations.
Past accusations of disease among Somaliland livestock led Saudi Arabia to temporarily ban imports of Somaliland animals.
Government veterinarian Ali Mahamud Gulled says the Berbera quarantine holds over a million animals at the height of the Hajj.
"It's very, very important we guarantee that no disease is carried and infected to the imported country ... because then that will affect us economically, drastically. It could result in a ban of our livestock, so we make sure that each and every animal leaving here is free of diseases," said Gulled.
After quarantine, the sheep and goats load onto ships holding between 20,000 and 120,000 animals. The animals are often loaded at night when the air is cooler.
Goats and sheep climb aboard a ship in the Somaliland port of Berbera which will sail for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, August 16, 2016. (J. Patinkin/VOA)
Somaliland now faces competition from Sudan, Australia, and other countries who also export livestock to the Hajj.
Abdi Osman Haji, a researcher with the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, which supports the livestock sector, says Somaliland must modernize its industry to stay ahead.
"I am sure Somaliland cannot maintain its current position if we don't improve the whole export value chain, the market facilities are very dilapidated and they are not up to date ... " said Haji.
Haji says Somaliland lags behind in terms of treatment of the animals too.
"Animal welfare is not on the agenda here and that has to be introduced. Animals, when they are deported via ships and via trucks, they are not according to international standards. They should comply [with] animal welfare conditions," said Haji.
Even so, the annual export of animals from Somaliland to Saudi Arabia remains vital for both countries.