Khat farmers and traders from Kenya have sent a delegation of two representatives to Mogadishu to petition the government of Somalia to lift the ban on khat flights.
The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) imposed a ban on khat flights in early March to curb the spread of COVID-19.
FGS said it took this measure to protect Somalis in the country.
However, a week ago, FGS lifted the ban on international flights. Despite this, the government announced that khat flights would remain banned.
Consequently, Kenyan farmers and traders have opted to plead with the government in Mogadishu directly.
Meanwhile, the cabinet has formed a 3-member ministerial committee to examine the issue further.
This comes amid reports that local khat traders are applying pressure on the government to allow the importation of khat from Kenya.