The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) has angered ‘miraa’ traders from Kenya after turning back a plane carrying the product to Hargeisa, Somaliland.
Somali authorities denied the plane permission to proceed with its journey to Somaliland’s administrative capital.
Authorities turned back the plane, which had received clearance to travel to Hargeisa from Nairobi, on Saturday.
Somaliland usually consumes Ethiopian Khat.
However, the recent protests and skirmishes in Ethiopia have caused a glut; hence, the decision to get the highly prized commodity from Nairobi.
The decision to deny the plane entry angered Kenyan traders who noted that flight 5YMSA had been cleared by Somaliland Civil Aviation and Airports Authority.
Consequently, the plane flew back to Kenya where it landed at Wajir International Airport.
According to authorities, the decision to deny the plane clearance to travel to Somaliland was due to the prevailing COVID-19 restrictions.
This week, Somalia announced plans to lift some of the COVID-19 restrictions. The government confirmed that domestic and international flights would resume this month.