President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has congratulated the people of Somalia on the June 26 independence day celebrations.
The President, who is currently self-isolating after testing positive for COVID-19, expressed his congratulatory message on Saturday.
He spoke despite his failure to attend the celebrations that took place in Mogadishu on Saturday night.
In his absence, Speaker Sheikh Aden Madobe of the House of the People led the celebrations.
Legislators from the House of the People (Lower House) and the Senate (Upper House) attended the celebrations.
Newly sworn-in Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre was present too.
In 1960, the northern regions of the country gained independence from colonial rule.