Demonstrators felt let down by the Puntland Government whose policies have been unable to rein in inflation in Puntland.
Some demonstrations blocked streets with rocks and burnt tyres.
![](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,<svg height="496px" width="1000px" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.1"/>)
“Who gave (the) Puntland President the authority to make the US dollar the only legal tender when paying duties at the expense of the Somali shilling?” asked one demonstrator in Galka’yo.
All businesses in Puntland immediately refused to accept Somali shillings for transactions following the decree on the use of US dollars for levying tax on imports and exports into and from Puntland.
![](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,<svg height="480px" width="720px" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.1"/>)
Yesterday a major Garowe meat and vegetable market was not opened for business after traders decided to protest the uncontrollable exchange rate that has resulted in runaway inflation in Puntland.
“Puntland Government policies make life difficult for poor people. Only well-off people can buy food and other essentials in dollars” said a female demonstrator in the port city of Bosaso.
The Puntland State Government for their part has said it was acting on recommendations of a committee tasked with drawing up plans to deal with the inflation.
This article first appeared in the © Puntland Post, 2020 and is republished with permission
