Kenya bans flights from Somalia in new diplomatic row

Kenya has banned all commercial and cargo flights to and from Somalia until August, despite the two countries agreeing to restore diplomatic relations a week ago. According to a NOTAM filed by the Kenyan Civil Aviation Authority on May 11, 2021, the only exceptions would be UN Humanitarian Air Service relief flights, medevac flights, and humanitarian missions. No reason was given for the suspension. The Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs had not yet commented on the ban by the time of publication. However, the announcement appeared to be related to the long-held dispute between the countries about the import from Kenya to Somalia of miraa/khat, a leafy green plant with psychoactive properties, after Somalia's Civil Aviation Authority announced that shipments of the stimulant remained prohibited. "Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) has the honour to inform all the operators that carrying Mirra to Somalia is still prohibited, and the policy of the Federal Government of Somalia did not change regarding the transportation of Miraa to Somali airports." Somalia banned miraa exports from Kenya in early 2020 after accusing Kenya of interfering in its internal affairs. <br/>