September 8, 2008

Groum Abate

Addis Ababa City Government authorities in conjunction with police started clamping down Khat and Shisha houses in different parts of the city.
The raid started on Tuesday September 2, 2008, and according to eye witnesses, sub-city officials closed down many Khat houses and seized thousands of Shisha jars.

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, once discussing with the country’s youth said that the government would take severe measures on houses that allow Khat chewing and Shisha smoking. Following the prime minister’s remarks officials of the city have taken measures on some places of the city sporadically.

The city authorities also gave written warning to Khat retailers on Tuesday September 2, 2008 that the retailers should cease allowing Khat chewing in their shops in the coming seven days. According to the warning the authorities would take severe measures after the seven day period if the houses are found allowing people to chew.

The warning further noted that the retailers would be closed down with all their properties and would also face harsh punishment.
Khat chewing houses along with Shisha houses are becoming widely common in the city. These places would charge customers for the place to chew from as little as two birr per person to the highest 300 birr for a room.

According to officials of the city, the raid would continue in the coming weeks. City authorities tried many times to close down these houses but failed to do so.
Charging people for a place to chew is considered illegal but retailing Khat is legal with a license.

Khat is considered as a major source of foreign currency income. It once outpaced coffee in generating foreign currency to the country.