PM Forms Committee for 66th Independence and Unity Celebrations as Political Crisis Continues

MOGADISHU – Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has issued a decree establishing a national organizing committee to manage preparations for the upcoming 66th Independence and Unity anniversary celebrations, which mark the historic dates of June 26 and July 1, 1960.

The decision, announced through a statement from the Prime Minister’s office, assigns the committee responsibility for planning, coordinating, and executing official ceremonies commemorating the end of colonial rule and the 1960 unification of northern and southern Somalia.

Committee Mandate and Membership

According to the official announcement, the committee’s responsibilities include inter-agency coordination, budget management, and security arrangements at celebration venues. The decree states that members may appoint a technical subcommittee for local logistics while collaborating with federal security agencies.

Minister Ali Yusuf Ali (Xoosh) has been appointed as chair of the executive committee. The ministerial members include General Bashir Mohamed Jama (Goobbe), Mohamed Abdi Hayir (Maareeye), Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi, Hassan Hussein Mohamed (Eelaay), Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, Abdifatah Qasim Mohamud, and Mohamed Abdulkadir Ali.

State ministers Hirsi Jama Gani, Mohamed Ali Hagaa, and Noora Mustaf Guudow are also included, along with Chairman Hassan Mohamed Hussein (Muungaab). Director Mohamed Abdirahman Mohamed (Boolbool) will serve as the committee’s secretary.

The Prime Minister’s directive, as conveyed in the statement, calls on the committee leadership to maintain constant coordination throughout the planning process.

Political Context of the Announcement

The announcement of the independence anniversary committee comes at a politically sensitive time for the federal government. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s official term expired on May 15 under the 2012 Provisional Constitution, though he maintains that constitutional amendments passed in March 2026 have extended his mandate by one year.

International partners including the UN, African Union, EU, IGAD, the United States, and the United Kingdom have urged renewed dialogue between the Somali government and opposition groups following the collapse of US and UK mediated talks earlier this month.

The Federal Government of Somalia extended its mandate for one year under the newly adopted constitution, a move that opposition figures and several federal member states have rejected as lacking national consensus.

Opposition Response and Political Divisions

Opposition leaders have drawn sharp battle lines against what they describe as “illegitimate term extensions” and “disputed elections”, warning the government not to push the country into another cycle of political turmoil.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and opposition leaders were scheduled to hold high-level talks in Mogadishu aimed at resolving the escalating political crisis. However, those talks have faced significant obstacles amid the recent outbreak of armed clashes in the capital.

Historical Significance of the Dates

June 26 marks the anniversary of British Somaliland’s independence from British colonial rule in 1960. July 1 commemorates the unification of the former British Somaliland Protectorate and the Trust Territory of Somalia, formerly Italian Somaliland, to form the Somali Republic.

The government’s announcement describes these dates as foundational moments in Somalia’s modern history. However, the celebration of national unity occurs against a backdrop of significant political fragmentation, with Puntland having withdrawn recognition of the federal government and opposition groups challenging the president’s mandate.

Federal Parliament Speaker Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur (Madobe) has held political alliance talks following South West State elections, reflecting ongoing efforts to consolidate political support amid deepening divisions.

Security and Logistical Considerations

The committee’s mandate includes coordinating with federal security agencies to implement security measures at celebration venues. Security arrangements for public gatherings in Mogadishu have historically been complex due to persistent threats from Al-Shabaab and the recent outbreak of political violence in the capital.

The announcement comes shortly after days of heavy fighting between government forces and opposition-aligned militias in the Abdiaziz and Howlwadaag districts. The federal government has declared that order has been restored, but tensions remain high.

As the committee begins its preparations, questions remain about whether the government can secure celebration venues and ensure public participation given the volatile security environment. The extent to which opposition groups and federal member states will participate in nationally organized events also remains unclear.