Somaliland Government admits “inability” to stop Khat imported from Ethiopia

[Deeq A.]

Hargeisa (PP News Desk) — In a press conference to brief media representatives in Hargeysa, the Somaliland Minister for Information Suleyman Yusuf Ali (Koore)  explained why importation of Khat from Ethiopia continues.

“Our police force can only focus on Covid-19 preventive measures. They cannot patrol the long border between Somaliland and Ethiopia” the Minister said.

• Suleyman Y. A.Koore: Somaliland Police Force cannot patrol the long border Somaliland shares with Ethiopia

Mr Ali said that the Somaliland Government had taken into consideration past policies to ban Khat during 1950s before the former Somaliland Protectorate gained independence from Britain, and in 1983, when the former military regime banned Khat throughout Somalia.

The Minister’s historical references subtly implied lack of resources to combat people who would venture into Khat smuggling had Somaliland Government temporarily or permanently banned Khat imported from Ethiopia.

The Minister said that Somaliland Government had diverted resources to the fight against Covid-19 in Somaliland.

Puntland Post, 2020 

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