Somali police ordered to stop chewing khat while on duty

Deutsche Presse-Agentur
Monday, May 18, 2015

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MOGADISHU — The Somali police force has banned its officers from drugging themselves with a popular local stimulant while on duty, police chief Mohamed Hassan Haamud announced Monday.

Haamud said officers may no longer chew khat - also known as miraa - a herb popular in the Horn of Africa, Kenya and the Arabian Peninsula that men chew for hours while they gossip, debate or listen to music.

"Chewing khat while on duty makes people see you as an irresponsible person," Haamud said, announcing that any officer caught chewing the herb repeatedly would face a military court.

It is not known how many Somali police officers use the stimulant, but it is believed to be popular in the police force and the army.

"Khat can cause hyperactive behaviour similar to the effects of amphetamines," said Abdirisak Omar, a medical doctor.

Despite its harmless reputation, khat can also create serious health damage, such as an increased heart rate and blood pressure, depression, irritability, nightmares, liver damage and a reduced sex drive, Omar said.

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