Somalia continues to experience a devastating drought, creating a historic food crisis in the region. Food insecurity has hit Somalia particularly hard, where millions of people have been affected. But President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud’s recent deal with Uhuru Kenyatta on khat imports has made many question his priorities. Somali children are dying without food while corrupt Hassan Sheikh and his family eat well in Villa Somalia.
President Mohamoud took office in 15 May 2022 of this year, with the drought and the government’s fight against the Islamist rebels of Al-Shabab as major challenges.
Read: Somalia’s president Hassan Sheikh history of corruption 2012-2017
In his early days in office, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud embarked on foreign visits to shore up support for his new government. Regionally, his first stop was United Arab Emirates, Eritrea, Kenya, Turkey, Djibouti, Egypt and Tanzania.
Read: Somalia’s president Hassan Sheikh history of corruption 2012-2017
Miraa-Khat is a drug scientifically known as Catha Edulis and contains chemicals that stimulate blood circulation causing blood pressure. It also inhibits digestive enzymes and stops appetite. It creates hallucination, fantasy and uninterrupted talks. Together with all those harmful effects, it also causes family mental health problems.
Chewing khat miraa leaves has led to infections that can cause problems such as pain below the ribs, changes in white blood cells, and an enlarged liver. Severe side effects include migraines, bleeding in the brain, heart attack, lung problems and changes in sex drive.
The list of countries that have banned trading miraa include the US, Canada, Netherlands, Europe, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Middle East and part of Africa, signifying a shrinking market for Kenya’s drug miraa.
The United Kingdom ban on miraa comes into effect on 24 June 2014 British Parliament’s approval of the Government’s decision to reclassify miraa as a Class C drug.