Wednesday July 2, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on
Tuesday night attended a high-level ceremony hosted at the Office of the Prime
Minister to commemorate the 65th anniversary of Somalia’s Independence and
National Unity Day.
The event, organized under the auspices of Prime Minister
Hamza Abdi Barre, brought together key national leaders, including the Speakers
of both chambers of Parliament, senior government officials, and
representatives from civil society, youth, and traditional leaders.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Barre reflected on the
remarkable resilience of the Somali people over the past six and a half
decades, honoring the sacrifices made by the country’s forefathers in the
pursuit of sovereignty, unity, and progress. He reiterated the government’s
unwavering commitment to rebuilding a strong, united, and federal Somali state
rooted in democratic governance and national cohesion.
Leaders of both houses of Parliament used the occasion to
emphasize the importance of deepening federalism, promoting inclusive
governance, and pursuing legislative reforms that align with Somalia’s
aspirations for peace and development.
President Mohamud’s attendance added symbolic significance
to the event, underscoring the need for unity and shared leadership at a time
when Somalia is navigating critical political, security, and economic
transitions.
The ceremony concluded with cultural performances, prayers
for national unity, and renewed calls for a collective effort toward peace,
reconciliation, and prosperity for all Somalis.
Somalia’s journey to independence began on June 26, 1960,
when the northern region—then British Somaliland—gained independence from
British rule. Just days later, on July 1, it united with the southern Trust
Territory of Somalia (formerly Italian Somaliland) to form the Somali Republic,
a milestone that marked the birth of a united and independent Somali nation.