On Tuesday, the Somali government agreed to resume the importation of khat plant after placing an embargo on it last week. Khat plant, which is found mainly in Kenya and Ethiopia, contributes significantly to Somalia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
While the Somali government was silent about the reason for khat’s initial ban, reports have revealed that the ban was lifted because of its contribution to the nation’s revenue. According to International Business Times, about 12,000 bags of khat are imported to Somalia in a day, with a retail value of $400,000 (£298,000).
What is Khat?
Khat is a flowering plant that is native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. It is common in Somalia but grown in Ethiopia and Kenya. Khat plant contains stimulants like alkaloids, cathinone and cathine. Users chew the bitter leaves in order to raise their energy level and make them more alert. Report reveals that khat leaf could be used to treat depression, fatigue, obesity, stomach ulcers and male infertility. Most importantly, khat leaf increases aggression and creates temporary confusion.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), khat leaf is a drug that could possibly be abused but has a less addictive potential than alcohol and tobacco. However, users of khat leaf have argued that it is as harmless as coffee and tea.
A Somali anti-khat campaigner, Abukar wale, argues that khat consumption contributes immensely to domestic violence and other forms of violence.
Why the sudden lift of ban on khat importation
The decision to lift the ban on the importation of khat by the Somali government was made at the East Africa’s Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) summit held in Mogadishu, the Somali capital on Tuesday. The decision came after several agitations from the Kenyan khat farmers, who lamented that they have incurred severe loss due to the ban from the Somali government.
Kenya has a large khat farming community that depends on khat export for their livelihood. This is why the chairman of Kenyan khat farmers, David Muthuri, described the ban on khat importation to Somalia as a big loss.
“This is a big loss to us. Farmers are crying because of the loss they are incurring. It caught everyone off-guard,” he lamented.
Apparently, Somalia is a big market for khat leaves. According to BBC News, 15 cargo flights full of khat arrive in Mogadishu every day from Kenya. This indicates that exportation of khat is a major source of revenue to the Kenyan people. Most importantly, it is a major contributor to Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Another significant reason why Somalia agreed to lift the ban was the impact on its own economy. Khat leaf is widely consumed in Somalia. As mentioned earlier, khat sales contribute $400,000 to Somalia’s revenue on daily basis. For the continuous growth of Somalia’s economy, it is wise for the government to allow the importation of khat leaf. Obviously, khat trade between Somalia and Kenya is a win-win game for both countries.
Beyond economic gains, Somalis, both home and abroad enjoy consuming khat leaves. This underscores the reason why khat sale is pervasive among Somalis anywhere around the world. This is evident in the hundreds of khat cafes around United Kingdom, where men from Somalia community go to chew. It was also reported that no government or authority has ever succeeded in banning khat leaf in Somalia. All these indicate the importance of khat leaf to the Somali people. Thus, placing a ban on it is not in the people’s best interests.
