Mogadishu — Somalia officially launched its week-long Independence Celebrations on Wednesday night with a grand ceremony attended by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and senior federal leaders in the capital, Mogadishu.
The commemorations began on June 26 to mark the 65th anniversary of the Northern Region—present-day Somaliland—gaining independence from British colonial rule in 1960.
The President and top government officials paid tribute to this historic milestone, emphasizing its enduring significance in shaping the nation’s path toward freedom and self-governance.
Somalia’s Independence Week, observed annually from June 26 to July 1, also celebrates the union of British Somaliland and Italian Somalia in 1960 that led to the birth of the Somali Republic. The period is considered a cornerstone of Somalia’s national identity and unity.
As the festivities continue across the country, the government and citizens alike reflect on their shared past and look toward a future of peace, progress, and national cohesion.