Somalia’s Minister of Education, Farah Sheikh Abdulkadir, has dismissed claims of possible takeover of state control by terrorist groups, describing such narratives as an “insult to the intelligence” of the Somali people.

In remarks on Thursday at a panel discussion hosted by the High Institute of Security and Strategic Studies (HISS) in the capital, Mogadishu, Abdulkadir said the claims underestimate the capacity of Somalia’s institutions.

Countries contributing troops to the African Union (AU) peacekeeping mission in Somalia have begun withdrawing their forces from the country, as Somali authorities assert a need to take more charge of internal security arrangements.

The panel discussion, held under the theme: “What is preventing Somalia’s statehood from strengthening?” examined challenges facing the country’s state-building process, including governance, security and public confidence in state institutions.

“Sometimes I hear people saying that everyone will flee and that men who have emerged from the bush (terrorists) will drive people away. Such statements are an insult to the intelligence of the Somali people,” Abdulkadir said.

Abdulkadir emphasised public ownership of security, arguing that the fight against terrorism should not be understood simply as a confrontation between the government and terrorist groups.

“The security belongs to the Somali people. It is funded by their taxes and sustained by their collective strength.”

The minister also criticised individuals who use political interests and grievances to promote narratives of national collapse or an impending takeover by terrorist groups.

He noted that similar predictions had emerged repeatedly since 2010 and called on Somalis to have confidence in the country’s security institutions.