MOGADISHU – President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the Speakers of both Houses of the Federal Parliament, and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre have attended the official closing ceremony of Independence Week in Mogadishu, marking the end of a series of events commemorating the 66th anniversary of Somalia’s independence and unification.
The closing ceremony brought together senior government officials, members of the national organising committee, and the public to celebrate the week-long festivities. The event also served as an opportunity to thank the committee for its work in ensuring that this year’s commemorations were organised with a high level of protocol and professionalism.
Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre established the national organising committee in early June, assigning it responsibility for planning, coordinating, and executing the official ceremonies marking the end of colonial rule and the 1960 unification of northern and southern Somalia.
A Week of Commemoration and Reflection
Independence Week, which runs from June 26 to July 1, holds particular importance in Somalia’s national calendar. June 26 marks the anniversary of British Somaliland’s independence from British colonial rule in 1960, while July 1 commemorates the unification of the former British Somaliland Protectorate and the Trust Territory of Somalia to form the Somali Republic.
President Mohamud has previously urged unity on the 66th Independence Day, describing the occasion as a time for Somalis to set aside their differences and work together to rebuild the country.
A Divided Commemoration
The celebrations seek to reinforce national unity and honour the generations whose efforts helped secure Somalia’s independence and sovereignty. Yet the commemorations come at a politically sensitive time, as the country continues to grapple with deep divisions over the president’s mandate and the electoral framework.
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’s official term expired on May 15 under the 2012 Provisional Constitution, though he maintains that constitutional amendments passed in March have extended his mandate by one year.
The breakaway region of Somaliland does not participate in federal celebrations, and its leadership recently concluded a state visit to Israel, a country that recognised Somaliland’s self-declared independence in December 2025.
Way Forward
The closing ceremony of Independence Week marks the end of the official commemorations, but the themes of unity, reconciliation, and state-building remain central to Somalia’s ongoing political discourse. As the country continues to navigate its political transition, the events of the past week serve as both a reminder of shared history and a call to address the challenges that lie ahead.
