MOGADISHU/NAIROBI, Feb 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Several Somali traders have stopped importing khat from Kenya following a diplomatic row between the two countries, in a show of solidarity with their government.
They say they will instead focus on trading with Ethiopia.
At the weekend, Kenya recalled its ambassador to Mogadishu and ordered Somalia’s envoy in Nairobi to leave, after Somalia allegedly auctioned off oil and gas reserves in disputed maritime territories.
A group of Kenyan khat exporters said in a statement on Monday that their trade was an easy target “whenever [Somalia] wants to seek attention from Kenya”.
“We should be bracing for the worst,” the Nyambene Miraa Traders Association added.
Khat farmers face losing 90% of the market if the diplomatic spat between Kenya and Somalia remains unsolved.
Somali traders import about 50 tonnes of the mild narcotic every day.
Somalia has rejected accusations by Kenya that it had auctioned off oil and gas blocks in a disputed maritime area.
“Somalia is not now offering nor does it have any plans to offer any blocks in the disputed maritime area until the parties’ maritime boundary is decided by the ICJ,” said its Foreign Ministry.
The International Court of Justice in The Hague, which rules in disputes between countries, has been hearing a case brought by Somalia against Kenya over the dispute.
A final outcome will significantly impact a new source of revenue for either of the east African neighbours. — NNN-AGENCIES