Bilateral relations between Somalia and Saudi Arabia received a shot in the arm when the Middle East country lifted the ban on importing livestock from the East African country.
Saudi Arabia’s ban on livestock imports has been in place for the last two years.
The ban particularly affected the importation of skins and hides. Consequently, it hindered Somalia from enjoying the benefits of international trade.
For decades, Somalia’s economy has suffered significantly. The ban worsened the situation further by affecting its foreign income.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture decided to suspend the ban thereby giving Somalia, under President Mohamed Farmaajo, a reprieve.
Further, the suspension of the ban has breathed new life into the deteriorating political fortunes of President Farmaajo.
Farmaajo, who assumed office in 2017, has endured years of criticisms from Somalis in the Diaspora and opposition of sidelining some of the country’s traditional allies.
Somalia is one of the world’s major exporters of livestock. Revenue from the trade has uplifted the nation of impoverished citizens for decades before the ban came into effect.