Somalia’s Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, Mr. Mohamed Abdi Hayir, also known as Maareeye, accused Ethiopia on Saturday of being solely responsible for the drying up of the Shabelle River, upon which the livelihoods of millions of people depend. The Shabelle River runs through the Hiiraan, Middle, and Lower Shabelle provinces, with its water originating from the mountainous highlands in Ethiopia. Yesterday, the Agriculture Minister conducted an inspection visit to Afgoye district in Lower Shabelle region in response to the growing concerns of farmers facing a shortage of water. The minister witnessed firsthand the dried-up state of the river and expressed his concern for the difficulty Somalia is facing in returning to agricultural production. He stated, “It is hard for Somalia to return to its previous level of production unless the water blockade is urgently lifted.” He also pointed out that the diversion of the river’s water by another government, in violation of international laws, has greatly affected the livelihoods of many Somali people who rely on the river for their agriculture. The minister urged traders and wealthy individuals to extend a helping hand to those affected by the water shortage. He emphasized the dire situation in Somalia, with a chaotic shortage of water, lack of food, and a collapsing economy. He stressed the need for a new life to be created in Somalia, as those currently living in these conditions cannot survive. The Minister was accompanied by farmers from Afgoye and other parts of the country on his inspection tour.
