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Somali curfew after khat protests Somali Islamists ban popular drug
(about 7 hours later)
The Islamist group which controls Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, has imposed a curfew after protests over restrictions on the stimulant khat. The Islamist group which controls much of southern Somalia has banned the popular stimulant khat, a day after protests in which one person died.
Eyewitnesses say one person was shot dead by Islamist fighters on Thursday. Islamist leader Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed said khat was a bad influence. Many Somali men, especially gunmen, spend hours chewing it each day.
About 60 khat vendors burnt tyres and threw stones in protest at shortages of the drug since a ban on Kenyan flights to Somalia on Monday. He also warned squatters to vacate public buildings they have occupied.
The Islamists have subsequently burned two big khat consignments which were flown in from elsewhere this week. After 15 years of conflict, many ministries are full of people who have fled fighting in their home regions.
The Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) has tried to outlaw khat since they seized Mogadishu in June, saying khat encourages immorality. Eyewitnesses say one person was shot dead by Islamist fighters on Thursday following protests over khat shortages.
Most khat, chewed by many Somali men - especially the gunmen who have fought for control of the country for the last 15 years - was flown in from neighbouring Kenya. About 60 khat vendors burnt tyres and threw stones in protest at shortages of the drug since a ban on flights to Somalia from Kenya, where most khat is grown.
KHAT Stimulant, making the user more alert and talkativeAppetite suppressorAfter a few hours, it produces a state of calmA chemical found in khat could boost the power of men's spermLong-term use can bring on insomnia, heart problems and sexual problemsCan bring on anxiety and aggression Health fears over khat use KHAT Stimulant, making the user more alert and talkativeAppetite suppressorAfter a few hours, it produces a state of calmA chemical found in khat could boost the power of men's spermLong-term use can bring on insomnia, heart problems and sexual problemsCan bring on anxiety and aggression Health fears over khat use "From today onwards we have banned khat in the areas we control," Mr Ahmed said.
Kenya banned all flights to Somalia, citing security fears. "Dealers found in possession of khat will pay 7 million Somali shillings ($500) and the khat will be burned. This substance is badly influencing our people."
The Islamists have burned two big khat consignments flown in this week to make up for the lack of Kenyan khat.
Kenya imposed the flight ban because of security fears.
There were six flights a week from Nairobi to Mogadishu and services to three other towns and many more khat flights each day.There were six flights a week from Nairobi to Mogadishu and services to three other towns and many more khat flights each day.
"We were demonstrating... [when] they opened fire on us," protester Nur Aden Wajishe told AFP news agency. The BBC's Hassan Barise in Mogadishu says a dusk-to-dawn curfew has been imposed on the city following Thursday's protests.
Other eyewitnesses described seeing a person die of bullet wounds and several others injured in the shooting. 'Reconstruction'
"A 13-year-old boy was killed," resident Ali Suleiman told Reuters news agency. Mr Ahmed's call for squatters to vacate government buildings is seen as an attempt to restore normality to the shattered nation.
"I saw an injured man lying on the ground, he was bleeding profusely," he said. Some 800 families live in the old headquarters of the national airlines"Such buildings would be part of Mogadishu's reconstruction and we call for people to vacate the premises for common interest rather than considering their personal advantages," he said.
The BBC's Hassan Barise in Mogadishu says a dusk-to-dawn curfew has been imposed on the city. But some question where people could go to.
The consignment of khat burned on Tuesday at an airport 50km south of Mogadishu was estimated to be worth $40,000 and to have originated from Ethiopia, local media reports. Shelters made from plastic sheets and pieces of cardboard have been erected in the grounds of many public buildings.
Wednesday's shipment was incinerated because it landed at Mogadishu's main airport where khat imports are not allowed, officials say. Offices, too, have been taken over, with several families sharing a single room, in which the windows and fittings have long since been broken or stolen.
Mosque attendance
The Islamists have taken control of most of southern Somalia since seizing the capital.The Islamists have taken control of most of southern Somalia since seizing the capital.
Many Mogadishu residents have welcomed their rule as they have brought law and order to the city after years of anarchy.Many Mogadishu residents have welcomed their rule as they have brought law and order to the city after years of anarchy.
Khat has not been officially banned in the capital as it has by Islamist hardliners in Kismayo, south of Mogadishu.
That ban also sparked protests in Kismayo.
But according to the Union of Islamic Courts' website, Kenya's flight ban has seen mosque attendance rise at prayer times.
In some parts of the country, Islamists have been closing public cinemas and, according to some residents, enforcing strict dress codes.In some parts of the country, Islamists have been closing public cinemas and, according to some residents, enforcing strict dress codes.
There are fears of a regional conflict starting in Somalia, as Ethiopia backs the weak interim government based in the city of Baidoa and its rival Eritrea is accused of arming the Islamists.There are fears of a regional conflict starting in Somalia, as Ethiopia backs the weak interim government based in the city of Baidoa and its rival Eritrea is accused of arming the Islamists.