Weapon costs rise because of talks

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.