Wednesday 23, July 2025 {HMC} The Tanga Regional Police Force in Tanzania has seized a boat from Kenya which was transporting outlawed drugs in the country.

Authorities in Tanzania said that the boat was transporting khat “mirungi” from Kenya through the Indian Ocean in the Mawe Mawili area, Kwale Village on the border of Mkinga District and Tanga City.

Tanga Regional Police Commander, ACP Almachius Mchunguzi said the white fibre boat was seized by the Marine Police Force following intelligence reports and extensive monitoring of the methods used by smugglers.

Although the two suspects on board the boat escaped when they reached the shore, the boat and its cargo of khat have been seized and placed under police custody.

Commander Mchunguzi said the Tanga Regional Police Force will continue to strengthen patrols and special operations in maritime areas which are often used as a route for smuggling illegal goods from neighbouring countries.

Tanga Regional Police Force Commander speaks after boat from Kenya is seized
He has also urged citizens to cooperate with state agencies by providing early information on any indicators of crime, especially those related to the illegal drug trade, to protect society and strengthen national security.

Khat is a type of drug derived from a plant called “Catha edulis” which contains the chemicals cathinone and cathine, which increase the speed of the functioning of the nervous system.

The drug is known by the names gomba, veve, miraa, kangeta, mugokaa, colombo, asili, mbaga, alenle, and jaba among others.

It has been used since ancient times in the countries of the Horn of Africa, especially Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Somalia and the Arabian Peninsula in Yemen.

Khat is mostly used in gatherings that include mostly men although in recent years women have joined the use.

Khat in Tanzania

The drug thrives and is found in abundance in the Kilimanjaro-Same, Tanga-Lushoto and Arusha Mt. Meru regions in Tanzania. It is, however, classified as illegal in the country.

According to the Tanzanian Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA), a large amount of khat is imported into the country illegally from neighbouring Kenya, where it is a legal commercial crop.

Any involvement with khat (growing, selling, storing, using, etc.) in the country is a criminal offence and is punishable by up to life imprisonment.

The World Health Organization (WHO) lists khat as a drug that creates “dependence” in people, meaning it produces a continuing desire to keep using it.

Some European countries that previously allowed the use of khat have begun to outlaw it after seeing its side effects. It is also banned in countries like the United States and Canada.

by Jason Ndunyu
Wednesday July 23, 2025

Wednesday July 23, 2025 {HMC} Somalia’s Ministry of Internal Security has accused Jubbaland regional leader Ahmed Mohamed Islam, widely known as Ahmed Madobe, of orchestrating a deadly attack against federal forces in the contested town of Beled Hawo, in the Gedo region, on Tuesday.

In a statement, the ministry condemned what it called a “criminal act” committed by forces loyal to Ahmed Madobe, claiming they launched a coordinated assault on federal army camps and public service centers.

“The Ministry of Internal Security of the Federal Government of Somalia regrets and strongly condemns the criminal act committed by the accused Ahmed Mohamed Islam in Beled Hawo, where militias under his command brutally attacked the offices of national security agencies and the Somali National Army,” the statement said.

Targets reportedly included the Immigration and Nationality Agency office and military camps housing government troops. The ministry vowed that all individuals involved in the attack would be held accountable and brought to justice.

The violence erupted after the federal government deployed Abdirashid Janan—a controversial former Jubbaland security minister—as the new regional intelligence chief for Gedo. Janan arrived Tuesday morning aboard a military helicopter from Mogadishu, escorted by senior Somali army officers and reinforcements.

His appointment immediately triggered a backlash from Jubbaland-aligned forces, who oppose federal control over the Gedo region, a strategically important area bordering Kenya and Ethiopia.

Heavy fighting broke out shortly after Janan’s arrival, with Jubbaland forces claiming they had recaptured the district headquarters and surrounding areas. According to a statement from Jubbaland’s state-run media, several pro-federal fighters were captured during the clashes, and Janan had fled the town and was being pursued.

At least five soldiers were reportedly killed, and dozens of others—including civilians—were wounded in the fighting, though exact casualty figures remain unconfirmed due to restricted access in the area.

The confrontation highlights the deep and ongoing tensions between Somalia’s federal government and the Jubbaland administration, particularly over political and security control of Gedo, a region at the heart of their longstanding power struggle.

Wednesday July 23, 2025 {HMC} Somalia’s Immigration and Citizenship Agency (ICA) and Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) have signed a new cooperation agreement to improve immigration services and enhancing border security systems.

The agreement was signed by ICA Director General Mustafa Duhulow, who is currently on an official visit to Switzerland. The signing followed a series of high-level meetings with Swiss officials from the ministries of justice and foreign affairs, as well as technical experts in immigration and border management.

The agreement focuses on modernizing Somalia’s immigration infrastructure, building the capacity of ICA personnel, and enhancing the security, integrity, and international recognition of the Somali passport.

“This is a results-oriented partnership that will significantly improve the quality and credibility of Somalia’s immigration services,” said Director General Duhulow during the signing ceremony.

As part of the visit, the Somali delegation toured Swiss land borders and international airports to observe the application of advanced technologies in border control operations.

Officials say the collaboration will contribute to Somalia’s broader national security goals, improve the efficiency of immigration procedures, and boost global confidence in Somali travel documents.