Kismayo:Sunatimes-The administration of the Al Shabaab militia group in Kismayo has banned Somali women from selling Khat in the coastal city. Khat is a mild drug commonly and widely used by Somalis.

Al Shabab announced the ban today after a meeting between their representatives and the association of Khat sellers, whose members are mainly women. The meeting ended with no agreement on how the drug could be sold in the port city.

Hassan Yakuub Ali, who is one of the leading officials of Al Shabab, was one of the Al Shabab representatives who met with the women.

It was when the meeting ended that Al Shabab representatives announced that they have banned women in Kismayo town from selling the drug, which is mainly consumed by men.

Al Shabab officials in Kismayo have also given the women a period of one month to end their trade in Khat. But the women who could not agree with Al Shabab vowed not to stop selling the drug.