Search
  1. Home
  2. East Africa
  3. Somalia

Weapon costs rise because of talks

    NAIROBI

    While the shilling has strengthened against the dollar in Mogadishu because of political optimism over the Djibouti-hosted talks, the price of weapons has increased. Guns have reportedly increased in value because weapons dealers anticipate new fighting as a result of the power-sharing moves in Djibouti, AP reported. Political optimism has been reflected by currency traders raising the value of the shilling from 9,800 to the dollar to 8,800, the lowest level since 1995, and the sharpest downfall since the United Nations forces abandoned Somalia early 1995. But a Russian-made Kalashnikov assault rifle increased in price from US $130 at the weekend to US $200 on Tuesday, AP reported. Ammunition prices have increased from 15 cents a round to 25 cents. A double-barrelled anti-aircraft gun has gone up from US $26,000 to $30,000.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

    Share this article

    Our ability to deliver compelling, field-based reporting on humanitarian crises rests on a few key principles: deep expertise, an unwavering commitment to amplifying affected voices, and a belief in the power of independent journalism to drive real change.

    We need your help to sustain and expand our work. Your donation will support our unique approach to journalism, helping fund everything from field-based investigations to the innovative storytelling that ensures marginalised voices are heard.

    Please consider joining our membership programme. Together, we can continue to make a meaningful impact on how the world responds to crises.

    Become a member of The New Humanitarian

    Support our journalism and become more involved in our community. Help us deliver informative, accessible, independent journalism that you can trust and provides accountability to the millions of people affected by crises worldwide.

    Join