Somalia Marks 64 Years of Independence with Spectacular Ceremony and Majestic Military Parade

Mogadishu (AX) – On Monday, Somalia’s government marked its 64th year of independence with an elaborate ceremony in Mogadishu. A well-drilled Somali army showed off with a parade, and two choppers flew overhead, relaying celebratory messages to the city.

Soldiers greeted the President, other government officials, military chiefs, and a crowd of inhabitants at Daljirka Square.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud adhered to tradition by placing a wreath at the Daljirka Dahsoon Monument, paying homage to Somali veterans who laid down their lives for the nation. He also greeted high-ranking officials and young girls adorned in the national flag before the primary event commenced.

The gathering boasted displays by Somali Air Force choppers, National Army vehicles, and Police units. This ceremony was notably different from previous years since the collapse of the government in 1991.

President Mohamud, in his role as the Armed Forces’ Commander-in-Chief, urged Somalis to bolster their solidarity and honor their ancestors’ legacy.

The meticulously planned event signaled that the government is gearing up to assume full security duties from ATMIS troops by December 2024, if not sooner.

Just last week, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) handed over the Ceel Eglow military base in the Middle Shabelle region to the Somali National Army (SNA), making it the third handover in the ongoing ATMIS troop drawdown.

Despite the drawdown, the government is working to slow the withdrawal of African peacekeepers, cautioning about a looming security void. Leaked documents reveal neighboring nations’ concerns that a resurgent al-Shabab might seize control.

The European Union and the United States, the primary funders of the AU force in Somalia, are pushing to scale down the peacekeeping mission due to worries over long-term costs and sustainability.