By. Goth Mohamed Goth
MOGADISHU, Somalia – July 1, 2026 – The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, attended the national flag-raising ceremony held tonight to mark the advent of July 1st—a date commemorating the independence of the country’s Southern regions from Italian administration, as well as the subsequent union with the Northern regions.
In his address, the President extended his heartfelt congratulations to the Somali people on this occasion, which holds profound significance for national sovereignty and unity. He emphasized that July 1st reflects the long and arduous struggle waged by Somali heroes in their quest for freedom and self-governance.
Units of the Somali National Army, carrying out their national duties, raised the Republic’s flag with full dignity and honour precisely at the stroke of midnight (12:00 AM)—the exact moment 66 years ago when the national flag was first hoisted over the capital, Mogadishu.
President Hassan Sheikh reaffirmed the critical importance of safeguarding national unity, solidarity, and the ongoing state-building process. He reminded the current generation of their profound responsibility to carry forward and advance the aspirations and legacy of the nation’s founding fathers.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT: The Distinct Independence Paths of Somaliland and Somalia (HIGHLIGHTED)
To fully understand the significance of July 1st, it is essential to distinguish the separate colonial histories and independence timelines of the two territories:
· SOMALILAND (Former British Protectorate):
· Colonial Power: United Kingdom.
· Independence Date: June 26, 1960 – Gained full sovereignty from Britain.
· Key Point: Somaliland became an independent state five days earlier than the South.
· SOMALIA (Former Italian Trust Territory):
· Colonial Power: Italy (under UN trusteeship after WWII).
· Independence Date: July 1, 1960 – Gained independence from Italian administration.
· Key Point: This is the date celebrated in tonight’s flag-raising ceremony—Southern Somalia’s own independence day.
· THE VOLUNTARY UNION:
· On July 1, 1960 – immediately after the South’s independence – the newly independent State of Somaliland (North) voluntarily united with the newly independent Trust Territory of Somalia (South) to form the Somali Republic.
· Thus, while July 1st is officially the independence day for the South, the unification of the two territories also occurred on this same date, making it a dual milestone.
· (Note: The former British Somaliland region unilaterally declared independence again in 1991 as the “Republic of Somaliland,” though it remains internationally unrecognized).
