The European Union (EU) jointly with the Federal Ministry of Livestock, Forestry and Range, the Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources of the African Union (AU IBAR), and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), officially closed in Mogadishu two projects funded by the EU in the framework of its overall support to the livestock sector. The event was the opportunity to share with livestock operators and Ministries from the regions, the achievements of the projects, the lessons learnt and the challenges for future sustainability. RAHS Project, “Reinforcing Animal Health Services”, was implemented by AU IBAR in partnerships with Terranuova and COOPI and provided a relevant contribution to sustain and improve animal health services through a stronger partnership between the Ministry of Livestock, the private associations and the pastoralist communities. The project developed regulations and policies, supported and trained Ministry staff and communities, improved infrastructures like laboratories and inspection posts and ensured disease surveillance along the main livestock routes.

On the other hand, the Project “Enhancing Somali Livestock Trade (ESOLT)” was also implemented by AU IBAR in partnerships FAO to improve the competitiveness of Somali livestock in regional and international markets through better quality products and market diversification. The project improved and spread the use of existing livestock marketing information systems (LMIS), strengthened the capacity on Somali livestock value chain actors on trade negotiations and market quality requirements, developed pilot activities to promote standardised grades and branding of Somali livestock and improved and built infrastructure facilities for livestock marketing and handling.

Martino Vinci, EU Programme Manager for Productive Sectors recognized the importance of the livestock sector in Somali economy for job creation, rural livelihoods and food security but also the need to address the big challenges currently affecting its performance like the drought and the Saudi ban and confirmed the EU commitment with the sector in future programmes.

The Director General of the Ministry of Livestock, Mr. Mohamed Omar Nur appreciated EU support and projects achievements and asked for a stronger involvement and ownership of the Ministry in future interventions.

The Ministers of Livestock from the States of South West and Hirshabelle also expressed its gratitude to donors and partners for support provided while the Representatives of AU IBAR and FAO confirmed the commitment of their organization in improving the performance of the livestock sector in Somalia in the framework of their actions and strategies.

The event was followed by a visit to the Mogadishu Livestock Market to officially handover the new sheds rehabilitated jointly by the 2 projects as well as to the newly built offices of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Forestry and Range. During the visits the visitors interchanged with the staff working in the market and the Ministry about possible ways to improve the management and the quality of the services provided by the facility and Ministry.

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