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Gambia News : Could there be a shortage of sheep for Eid Al Fitr?

It is nearly two week away from the feast when all Muslims who can afford it are expected to slaughter at least one ram, goat, camel or bull. But this year, buyers have been rather apprehensive about the absence of vendors of such animals in their streets. The sheep traders have been scared away by a recent state-sponsored campaign of vilification and condemnation of cattle traders and butchers orchestrated by Gambian President Yahya Jammeh who accused them of profiteering.

Last year many traders who brought sheep across the border from neighboring countries to sell to customers for the feast spent days in police detention for alleged over pricing. Up to a dozen butchers were sentenced to various charges for the allegations. But the authorities seem to be aware of the dangers of an imminent shortage of sheep in the country.

Last weekend, official radio and television went on repeatedly announcing to traders of sheep that they are welcome back to the country. The urgent announcement also indicates that import processes have been simplified and taxes reduced. But the announcement came only a day after the National Assembly passed through a bill that served to institutionalize President Jammeh’s populist but draconian clampdown against livestock traders and butchers. The bill, according to Mr. Ousman Jammeh, the Secretary of State aims at eliminating the middle-man who tends to “exploit both farmers and consumers.” It also paves the way for a Livestock Marketing Agency, an idea scrapped over fifteen years ago when it was found to be a harbinger of corruption and other economic mischief.
                                     
But Mr. Jammeh said that the new dispensation will “likely be more profit-oriented for farmers, as it will drastically reduce the role of middle men and dealers in the commercialization process.” He added in the wake of soaring food prices, such a measure is “necessary and will help to contain any negative impacts on Gambians’ pocket money.” He argued that it will help put an end to what he called “rampant price inflation” in the livestock market.

A successful livestock producer who the Gambia Journal talked to under conditions of anonymity said: “It is about time the authorities come clean on what kind of economy they are running here. They are always the first to preach market capitalism, free market, private-sector led development yet what they practice is communism in its worst kind. Last Ramadan two months ago I went over to Birkalene in Senegal and spent more than half a million dalasi worth of sheep and cattle to sell for the feast. The authorities seized hold of my stock and sold it out for less than half the price I got them for. Before this I worked in government, in the Ministry of finance, so I know what they are up to. It is no good for The Gambians, it is just for cheap popularity. I left government to enter the livestock market over eight years ago. I have a large mixed farm and combine high tech with traditional methods. Whichever is more cost effective. I do artificial insemination and employ over twenty five people. If the authorities think I am doing too good they should encourage other people to join me, take my example and break any monopoly I might have enjoyed. They should not turn me into a public enemy. It is through efforts like mine that societies develop and not government bills that feed the lazy, corrupt and well connected.”

Src: Gambia Journal, The