Somali education minister rejects fears of al-Shabab takeover as AU troops withdraw

Somalia’s Education Minister Farah Sheikh Abdulkadir rejected warnings that al-Shabab could take control as African Union troops withdraw. Speaking at a security panel in Mogadishu on Thursday, he said Somalia’s institutions could prevent a militant takeover and called security a shared responsibility of the Somali people. His remarks come as countries contributing to the African Union mission begin withdrawing forces or announce plans to reduce their presence.