MOGADISHU – President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud laid a wreath at the Dhagax-tuur Monument on Friday as part of commemorations marking the 66th anniversary of June 26, 1960, when the former British Somaliland Protectorate gained independence and the Somali flag was first raised in the northern regions.

The ceremony, held in Mogadishu, was attended by cabinet ministers, senior government officials, police officers, and hundreds of citizens. President Mohamud was received with a guard of honour from the Somali Police Force before laying the wreath in tribute to the national heroes who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for independence and the fight against colonialism.

The event is part of broader celebrations taking place across Banadir Region and the country to mark Independence Week, which runs from June 26 to July 1, commemorating the unification of the former British Somaliland Protectorate and the Trust Territory of Somalia (formerly Italian Somaliland) to form the Somali Republic in 1960.

Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre established a national organizing committee in early June to manage preparations for the anniversary celebrations, assigning it responsibility for inter-agency coordination, budget management, and security arrangements at venues across 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 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. Puntland has withdrawn recognition of the federal government, and tensions with Jubaland remain high.

Historic Dates, Contemporary Realities

Independence Week holds particular importance in Somalia’s national calendar, marking the period between June 26, 1960, when British Somaliland gained independence, and July 1, 1960, when it united with the former Italian-administered territory to form the Somali Republic. Across Somalia, public gatherings, cultural events and civic activities are being held to commemorate the anniversary and reflect on the country’s history, identity and hopes for the future.

However, the celebration of national unity occurs against a backdrop of significant political fragmentation. Somaliland, the breakaway region that declared independence in 1991, does not participate in federal celebrations. Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro) recently completed a state visit to Israel, a country that recognised Somaliland’s self-declared independence in December 2025, drawing sharp condemnation from Mogadishu.

Security and Reconciliation Challenges

Officials said the celebrations are meant not only to honour the past but also to promote unity and reconciliation as Somalia continues its efforts toward lasting peace and development. 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 recent political violence in the capital.

Days of heavy fighting between government forces and opposition-aligned militias in the Abdiaziz and Howlwadaag districts preceded the Independence Week events. The federal government has declared that order has been restored, but tensions remain high.

As the committee continues its preparations, questions remain about the extent to which opposition groups and federal member states will participate in nationally organised events. The celebrations may serve as a moment of national cohesion or become another flashpoint in Somalia’s ongoing political crisis, depending on how different political actors choose to engage.