The Worrying figures of Qat Consumption in Somaliland

A new study discovers the average expenses used daily for buying Qat in Somaliland exceeds $1.5 million whereas the revenue counts only$14,625per day. A research from 50 Qat chewers and 10 Qat sellers (both genders,in four of the capitals of the six main regions of Somaliland-Hargeisa, Berbera, Burao and Erigavo- reveals that the average daily expense on Qat per chewer is $4.95 in a country where more than half of its 3.5 Million populations earn less than a dollar daily.

Qat (Catha Edulis) is green leafy twigs with narcotic effect and grown in East African highlands and like most drugs, it is addictive and must be consumed daily. The majority of Somali men are addicted to Qat, which has a huge influence on their life in Somali society.

The study conducted by Jama Ismail Nor, a university student pursuing a masters degree and has undergraduate degree in Economics, points out that the number of Qat chewers and the amount they chew is increasing steadily than ever before.

The study carried out last year, suggests that the cheap taxation imposed on Qat is a root cause for the ever increasing Qat consumption in Somaliland. Besides the big difference between Qat costs and revenues in Somaliland, there is also a wide gap between the expected profits and the actual profits from Qat, according to the study. Surprisingly the findings show a possible reason for the low profits due to the own consumption of Qat sellers from down to dask while some chewers borrow the Qat form the Qat sellers but they hardly show up to repay the debt.

According to the study findings, the average Qat chewer spends 6.9 hours on Qat chewing and more than 70% of the Qat chewers (interviewed in the study) do nothing else during this time. The study concluded that 2,951,544 hours are spent on Qat chewing session per day in Somaliland. It is clear that almost one-third of the Qat chewer’s time is spent on Qat chewing without doing other work, just telling stories and quarelling “ fadhi ku dirir”.

Mr. Noor believes that the productivity of Qat chewer is very low, and more than 80% of them suggested that they would have stopped chewing if they had to work all day.

In his study, Mr. Noor warns of the deep negative impact of Qat on Somaliland’s population as he proves the study’s hypothesis that “Qat has a negative effect on Somaliland”

“Qat has made our teenagers vulnerable to early addiction of Qat and related drugs. It has made our adults and parents less productive than their counterparts in the world” said Mr. Noor.

The study suggests the most appropriate solutions for the negative effect of Qat on Somaliland’s population as simple steps ranging from awareness to legislation. “in order to tackle the problem of Qat in our country, the research recommends that other trading alternatives should be developed, the government should increase the tax on Qat, nationwide awareness campaigns should be carried out, employment opportunities should be created for Qat sellers and chewers and finally, the Somaliland legislatives should develop a clear Qat consumption reduction policy” suggests the study.

“The study is reliable and realistic at large, thoug we cannot rule out the inaccuracies due to the sample or otherwise” says the researcher.

For the full study please contact the researcher, Mr.Jama Ismail Noor, at the following addresses:

E-mail: Jaamacyare11@hotmail.com Mobile: +252 2 4435848.

2011: SOMALILAND IN FOCUS

Let me start with ‘happy new year’. It has been just yesterday when I thought of to start a yearly article - Somaliland in focus - shedding light on the real situation on the ground and the opportunities/threats ahead. However, I am very happy that many of our last year’s dreams have come true.

Here comes a great year again- 2011, with my people and beloved country looking forward to reach the stars and have a brighter future ahead.

On one hand I am convinced that that 2010 was the best year for Somaliland so far when I look back and see the democratic elections and the peaceful transfer of power which is rarely seen in Africa and the whole third world countries. On the other hand, I am somehow skeptic about a valuable time and energy we have lost on unhealthy political disagreements and millions of hours we have wasted on QAT chewing.
In the eve of the new year, 2011, which I wasn’t sure if I could witness, Somaliland is on its way to progress and prosperity if and only if we, the people, take the responsibility to develop our country on our own shoulders. The new government is also expected to make us focused and lead us to clear and precise objectives/goals to achieve.

At the beginning of the new year there were two largely welcomed news from the new government. Despite the fact that there are huge economic challenges still hindering the world markets, leading to countries over the world form Austria to Australia, from Washington to Warso from Kapetown to Kazapalanka, to cut their budgets, reduce the pay rate and squeeze their spending, Somaliland has set the record for the new year when President Silanyo’s government announced a 100% increase of salaries for all government employees, including the military and police forces. Furthermore, it was the second best news and relief to thousands of low income families who were struggling to pay their children’s schools fees when they heard that the primary and intermediate schools are free from now.

From the economic point of view, I am confident that the above moves will help our nation to be a better position and the income of our citizens to increase compared to that of the last year. However, we also need to put greater attention and attract on foreign investments to create jobs and develop our poor infrastructure.

In the political aspect, Somaliland is on the verge to be recognized after the historic referendum in South Sudan on 9th Jan, 2011. The result is not yet officially announced but it is widely expected that overwhelming majority will choose SS to be the 54th independent country in Africa. After this complete shift to the so called African excuse that ‘African boundaries can’t be changed’ Somaliland should be the 55th country in Africa. We have to diplomatically stretch our muscles and show that the whole world has interest on us; otherwise all our argument will be turned to deaf ears as it has been for the last 20 years. Having the qualified and experienced Dr. M. Omar, Dr. M. Rashid and the likes as our foreign policy drivers I am absolutely confident that they will grasp the attention of many countries which will eventually lead us to be internationally recognized.

Today, we have to work hard to show our potential and make our ends meet. Similarly, in the long-run, we have to keep in mind that, “Freedom is not something that can be given. Freedom is something people take, and people are as free as they want to be”. Hence we have no reason to close our hands and wait for others to recognize us, but we have to show them concrete reasons to recognize us!

By: Mr. Jama Ismail Noor.
BA in Economics and Management Science (IHU)
MBA cndt in Project Management (Open University of Malaysia)
Hargeisa, Somaliland
E-mail: Jaamacyare11@hotmail.com / qude2002@gmail.com
Web: Jamaqude.blogspot.com