Mogadishu (Somali Magazine) Last night in Mogadishu, the 62nd anniversary of Somalia’s independence was celebrated. The Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre were there.
Speaking occasionally, Mohamud claimed that the issues that have plagued the Somali government since independence are mostly due to the dissatisfaction and lack of confidence of the Somali people in their government. He emphasized the importance of finding answers to these difficulties as well as the government’s top aim of bringing the Somali people together.
The issues in the north were the most troubling since the country gained independence, and we have been working for more than 30 years to find a solution to them. We are continue working hard to boost public confidence and complete our recovery, he said.
The President said, “Saving the Somali people’s emotions and not hurting them is the most satisfying experience they can learn from this.”
After years of conflict, the southern territories of Somalia were granted independence from Italy in 1960. On June 26, 1960, the northern areas, now known as Somaliland, declared their independence from Great Britain. Four days later, the south joined them to form the Republic of Somalia.
He said that the nation is progressing toward self-sufficiency and development, saying “June 26 is the genuine Independence Day of Somalia; July 1 is the Unity Day.”
The Fourth of July celebrations this year fell during Somalia’s worst drought in forty years. The President remarked that the effects of the drought had placed the nation in a difficult situation and he requested support from the Somali people for the government’s efforts to aid those affected by the drought.
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