Mogadishu (SD) – The Minister of Finance of the Federal Government of Somalia Abdirahman Duale Bayle has announced that from now on, traders will be able to import Khat wherever they want.

“I declare that Khat is not banned and it can be imported from anywhere into the country through legal channels,” said the Somali government’s finance minister.

The Minister’s statement was in response to accusations from some Khat traders that the federal government had allowed some Khat traders to bring it.

Abdirahman Duale Beyle further added that businesses need to bring Khat into the country legally.

“Traders should get permit from the government to import qat and they can import it from anywhere, if they have a permit and pay their taxes,” said Minister Bayle.

The Somali government has previously banned importing Khat from Kenya, with Khat currently being imported from Ethiopia.