Professor Mohamed Haji Muktar has accused Somalia’s Federal Ministry of Education, Culture, and Higher Education of “hijacking” the 15th Somali Studies International Congress, an event traditionally organized by the Somali Studies International Association (SSIA).
He condemned the ministry’s involvement as “illegitimate” and expressed concern that Minister Farah Sheikh Abdulkadir is undermining the reputation of the event and its organizing body.
Prof. Muktar has called on federal leaders to intervene and prevent what he describes as an encroachment on an independent scholarly platform, which is crucial for advancing Somali studies and fostering academic collaboration.
The controversy highlights tensions between government authorities and the academic community regarding the oversight and organization of such significant events.