Historian Denounces the Somalia Education Ministry for “Usurping the Role of the Somali Studies International Association”

[Deeq A.]

Professor Mukhtar: “Speaking on behalf of the scholars who signed the Somali Studies International Association letter, I denounce the Ministry of Education’s attempt to turn the association into a political platform.”

Mogadishu (PP News Desk) — Professor Mohamed Haji Mukhtar, who taught history at Savannah State University, criticised the Ministry of Education of the Federal Government of Somalia for usurping the role of the Somali Studies International Association to organise a Somali Studies conference in Mogadishu tomorrow. “Speaking on behalf of the scholars who signed the Somali Studies International Association letter, I denounce the Ministry of Education’s attempt to turn the association into a political platform. The Ministry of Education has interfered in research matters that have nothing to do with politics,” Professor Mukhtar told Kalsan TV.

Earlier this week, Somali scholars who are key members of the Somali Studies International Association publicly distanced themselves from the event. “We understand that the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Higher Education is heavily involved in organizing the proposed conference in Mogadishu from December 15 to December 18, 2024. The organization’s nature is academic; therefore, while governments can support it, they should not organize the SSIA conference. Using the SSIA brand in this manner damages the scholarly integrity of the organization. We, thus, categorically state that this event has no affiliation with the Somali Studies International Association, its leadership, or its mission. The Ministry of Education, Culture, and Higher Education has different and essential functions that are different from those of SSIA, an academic and non-partisan organization. Therefore, it should not undermine the credibility and reputation of SSIA which many scholars have devoted their careers and upheld its integrity for almost half a century” reads the letter signed by the Somali scholars.

The Somali Studies International Association was founded in 1978. It held its two conferences in Mogadishu in 1980 and 1989.

© Puntland Post, 2024

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