President Mohamud Urges Unity as Somalia Marks Independence Day

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has called on citizens to embrace unity and national solidarity as the country prepares to celebrate Independence and Unity Day, saying collective resolve will be crucial to safeguarding recent security and political gains.

The president joined hundreds of people gathered in Mogadishu ahead of the annual celebrations, where he praised the peaceful participation of young Somalis and described social cohesion as a cornerstone of the country’s stability and future development.

“We must unite our minds, our strength and our collective resolve to safeguard our hard-earned gains and together achieve the lasting prosperity we aspire to,” President Mohamud said.

His remarks come at a time when Somalia is seeking to build momentum on several fronts. Government forces, backed by local militias, continue military operations against Al-Shabaab, while authorities are working to consolidate state institutions in areas recovered from the insurgents.

The call for unity also comes amid renewed political engagement over Somalia’s electoral future. The federal government has pushed ahead with preparations for a one-person, one-vote electoral system, including voter registration in several regions, while opposition leaders have called for broader political dialogue to reach consensus on the electoral roadmap.

At the regional level, Mogadishu has also intensified diplomatic engagement with neighbouring countries and the African Union. In recent days, President Mohamud held talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Addis Ababa as both countries seek to rebuild relations following last year’s diplomatic dispute, while African Union leaders reaffirmed their support for Somalia’s sovereignty, security and the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

Independence and Unity Day commemorates the independence of the former British Somaliland protectorate on June 26, 1960, and its union days later with the Trust Territory of Somalia to form the Somali Republic. The anniversary is observed each year with public celebrations honouring those who fought for independence and reflecting on the country’s progress and ongoing challenges.

This year’s commemorations come as Somalia seeks to balance military gains against Al-Shabaab with political reforms, economic recovery and efforts to strengthen national cohesion, objectives that officials say will be critical to the country’s long-term stability and development.