MOGADISHU (SD) – The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, today opened the 15th International Congress of Somali Studies, which was held in Mogadishu today for the first time in 35 years.

President Hassan emphasized the importance of using a scientific approach to study the challenges hindering the progress of state-building, economic development, and knowledge in Somalia. He noted that the government is committed to supporting Somali scholars and researchers to find sustainable solutions to the issues preventing the self-sufficiency of the Somali people.

“In our struggle for state-building since the collapse, we have always felt the absence of the role of Somali thinkers who would seriously study the problems we face. Fortunately, this congress has come at the most crucial time, and we should take advantage of it swiftly.”

The 15th International Congress of Somali Studies, which was first held in 1979, this year has over 400 delegates, including Somali scholars, international researchers, and some university officials from the Horn of Africa. The congress is expected to conclude with studies focusing on the development of the Somali society.