Somalia marks 55th Independence Day

By Abdulaziz Billow
Thursday, July 2, 2015

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Somalis have marked 55 years of self-rule. This, while the East African nation is facing a great number of challenges including terrorism and a massive refugee crisis. As Abdulaziz Billow reports, Somali leaders are, however, optimistic that the country is on the right path to recovery.

As the clock ticked midnight in Somalia, the blue flag with a five-pointed star was raised at the newly- renovated local government headquarters in Mogadishu.That meant the East African nation is marking 55 years of self-rule after it attained Independence from the two colonial powers– namely Britain and Italy.

The annual event is celebrated on the first of July each year. The date also marks the union of two territories: the former Italian Somaliland or Southern Somalia and the former British Somaliland or Northern Somalia; the two formed the present day Somali Republic.

Fifty-five years down the line the country is still facing a wide variety of challenges- on top of them Al-Shabab militancy.

A two-decade-long civil war has also made Somalia one of the world’s poorest nations. Other challenges Somalia has to deal with include piracy, famine and a massive refugee crisis.

The country’s officials are, however, optimistic that Somalia is on the right track as it is brushing off the dust of a civil war - celebrating the independence anniversary at the newly-renovated Mogadishu’s Mayor’s palace, once a ruin.

Foreign diplomats based in the country also attended the event in solidarity with a nation slowly emerging from conflict.

Somalis from all walks of life have marched across their country to celebrate the Independence Day. And from the look of things, one can feel their aspiration for a stable Somalia, one with security at home and peace with neighbors.

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