Hassan Istiila
Monday July 1, 2024
Mogadishu (HOL) - Somalia's government celebrated its 64th independence anniversary with a high-level ceremony in Mogadishu on Monday, as a well-trained Somali army displayed a parade, and two helicopters sent congratulatory messages over the city.
The troops greeted the President, other government heads, army commanders, and hundreds of spectators at Daljirka Square.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud followed the traditional protocol of laying a wreath at the Daljirka Dahsoon Monument to honor Somali veterans who sacrificed their lives for the country. He also shook hands with high-level officials and young girls dressed in the flag, offering their congratulations before the main ceremony began.
The ceremony featured displays by two Somali Air Force helicopters, military vehicles of the National Army, and the Police. This event was distinct from previous anniversary celebrations held since the collapse of the central government in 1991.
The President, also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, called on the Somali people to strengthen their solidarity and preserve the legacy of their ancestors.
The well-prepared ceremony sent the message that the government is ready to take over the country's security responsibilities from ATMIS troops by December 2024 or earlier next year.
Last week, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) handed over the Middle Shabelle region's Ceel Eglow military base to the Somali National Army (SNA), marking the third base transferred during the third phase of ATMIS's troop drawdown.
However, despite the ongoing drawdown, the government is seeking to slow the withdrawal of African peacekeepers, warning of a potential security vacuum. Documents seen by Reuters show that neighboring countries are concerned that resurgent al-Shabab fighters could seize power.
The European Union and the United States, the top funders of the AU force in Somalia, have sought to reduce the peacekeeping operation due to concerns about long-term financing and sustainability.