SOUTHCENTRAL FACTION BANS EXPORT OF WILD ANIMALS 100% match; BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom ; 29-Dec-1999 06:11:42 pm ; 143 words+++ Text of report by Somaliland newspaper `Jamhuuriya' on 29th December

In a statement availed to local and foreign journalists, the RRA [Rahaweyn Resistance Army] has said that it has banned the burning of charcoal and trade in wild animals in Bay and Bakool regions [southcentral Somalia] controlled by the faction. The statement, signed by Hasan Muhammad Nur (Shati-Gadud), the chairman of the RRA, orders that with effect from 1st January 2000 burning of charcoal in areas controlled by the organization and trade in wild animals will be illegal. The statement further said that any motor vehicle found transporting charcoal would be confiscated and anyone found with wild animals would be detained. Destruction of trees for charcoal is causing serious environmental degradation in Bay and Bakool. Source: `Jamhuuriya', Hargeisa,, in Somali 29 Dec 99 p 2 World