Somaliland region lifts ban on khat from Ethiopia

[Saalax]

 

[gooni]

Horay yaa loogusii sheegay inta beri oo ay joojin karaan, go'aanku Ethiopia yuu ka go'aa.

[Saalax]

58 minutes ago, gooni said:

Horay yaa loogusii sheegay inta beri oo ay joojin karaan, go'aanku Ethiopia yuu ka go'aa.

In the long-term the only solution is for Somalis to grow their own khat in the mountains of Sanaag for example since we all know Somalis won't stop chewing and feeding Ethiopian economy. 

[maakhiri1]

The crime went through the roof, big social problems,  had no choice. 

[maakhiri1]

2 hours ago, Saalax said:

In the long-term the only solution is for Somalis to grow their own khat in the mountains of Sanaag for example since we all know Somalis won't stop chewing and feeding Ethiopian economy. 

The ultimate goal is find jobs for massive unemployed  

[galbeedi]

It was a bad idea to stop Khat without planing. 

The major crimes that would go to the roof is the police and security people to use Khat bans to confiscate vehicles prom the people. 

There were large Khat farms in Arabsiyo area in nineteen eighties. While in high school, I went to one of the farms belonged to a friend and they were profitable. People should be allowed to cultivate and keep the cash inside their communities.

[cadnaan1]

Ramadaanka ilaa u ka dhamaado xataa waa la sugi waayey miyaa waa cajaaib.

Dadkii baaburrtii lagala wareegay mala soo celin doonaa hadiiba qaadkii la fasaxay.

[Suldaanka]

It is not as simple as you think. Event though the ban is enforced and it is done to the best ability. Yet, you cannot stop 800km of border when the other side of the border is free for all. 

Even in UK or North America where Khat is banned, Somalis are able to import it using various methods and ways. So it is a walk in the park when it comes to getting khat across the border from Ethiopia into Somaliland. 

What makes Somaliland case more pronounced is the fact that the Khat growing region of Ethiopia is just across the border. It is a 3 hour drive from Hargeisa. 

But the situation in South Somalia is not that far from Somaliland. Khat is still getting sold in all over South Somalia including Mogdishu, sometimes 4 or 5 times the normal price.  

The following 3 things have been observed in the past 3 weeks that Khat was banned. 

1. A lot more khat dealers (risk takers) have joined the 'get rich quick' opportunity by going alone and going underground

2. Khat is getting sold for 3 times or more than the normal

3. The khat dealers getting away without tax, so the gov't is also losing income

With all that combined, it is commonsense that the ban is not working.  

As the old saying goes, when the facts change, so your position should also.

 

Banned Khat drug 'gone underground'

WWW.BBC.COM

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A plant banned as a drug in 2014 remains popular in parts of Wales but its use has been pushed underground, those who take it say.

 

[Suldaanka]

 

This is BBC'S Bella Hassan is reporting from Mogadishu.

"Although most khat sellers in Somalia have nothing to trade, a few crafty dealers have hit a goldmine.

"Before Covid-19, we got fresh leaves from Kenya," says a woman who sells khat in Mogadishu. "Now we get it illegally from the port city of Kismayo, and because it is so limited, we can push up the price. I used to sell one kilo of leaves for about $20 to $25. Now I sell it for $120. This ban has been very good for us.""

Why khat chewers have been left in a stew

WWW.BBC.COM

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Somalia's government curbs the use of khat after raising concern that it could help spread Covid-19.

 

[Suldaanka]

In Somaliland we do not pretend when things are not working, we come out and say it.

 

[Suldaanka]

12 hours ago, maakhiri1 said:

The crime went through the roof, big social problems,  had no choice. 

This is not Mogadishu where different armed factions are fighting over khat in the streets. 

The only crime that is seen is a lot more people are doing a first time khat import run on the vehicles. That is all. 

 

[Suldaanka]

Puntland follows Somaliland lead.

 

[galbeedi]

I agree. It is common sense. 

Major underground dealers will make big money while the government loses money. If you can not control the border entry, there is no use to proclaim a toothless ban.

THere are reports of cars being confiscated by police in Hargeisa. 

[maakhiri1]

Fair point 

 

[cadnaan1]

Puntland jaadka Ethiopia maa laga isticmaalaa Mise Kan Kenya.