Somali-Oromo clashes halt khat transport to Somaliland

Hiiraan Online
Wednesday February 14, 2018

MOGADISHU (HOL) - The Khat traders and consumers in the breakaway region of Somaliland have been facing a khat shortage for the last three days after the business was disrupted by Somali-Oromo clashes.

Markets in Hargeisa, the administrative capital of the region and other towns have experienced low fresh deliveries of the narcotic plant which is transported from the neighbouring country, Ethiopia.

The eager chewers have to brace themselves for higher prices for the stimulant due to the shortage, according to our correspondent in Hargeisa, Barkhad Ladiif M. Omar.

It was reported that the price of the khat has increased from the usual price of Ssh200,000 per kilogramme to Ssh600,000.

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Khat is one of the major tax earners for Somaliland administration as Hargeisa also spends over Sh billions annually on khat exported from Ethiopian.

The sector is also a key source of employment in the unrecognized state.

Riots in Dire Dawe

In Ethiopia, khat is largely grown in the eastern regions of Dire Dawa state and Harari region, both about 200 kilometres from Hargeisa.

Despite clashes between Somali and Oromo communities, major demonstrations across Oromia have made transportation of the khat to Somaliland more unreliable.

The demonstrations have been taking a toll on traders in the town since Oromo youths launched protests against the arrest of opposition politicians in Dire Dawe town two days ago.

The youths were reportedly members of Qeeroo group which is headed by Jowhar Mohamed

Shops remained closed and roads blocked for fear of looting and destruction of property.

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