Khat makes people happy and talkative but can

cause insomnia and temporary confusion

We reported earlier that Kenya has resumed

exporting Khat to Somalia after a ban imposed

last week was lifted.

A trader of the herbal stimulant in Somalia's

capital, Mogadishu, gave the BBC his reaction:

I am very happy today because the khat ban

rendered me jobless. I was forced to stay

indoors because I had nothing to do and I could

not provide for my family. I'm glad the imports

have resumed, because of that I am back in

business."

But another man in the city was not

so impressed:

I am not happy about the resumption of the khat

imports in Mogadishu. I was among the people

who welcomed the ban. I am now disappointed

because it’s back in our streets. I think our

president was wrong to lift the ban."

The planes from Kenya arrive in Mogadishu in

the morning and the leafy stimulant, which is not

cheap, is usually chewed after lunch, mainly by

men, in the afternoon and into the evening.

Anti-khat campaigners argue that the stimulant

contributes to domestic violence and other

abuses.