Somalia Held Fanfare For Its Independence

Previously known as “Italian Somaliland”, Somalia received its independency from Italy on July one, 1960, the office of the president held a great fanfare for the celebrations yesterday of the July first.

Mixed band of boys and girls “ Waaberi” sung a revolutionary, reunifying anthems. They were mesmerizing. The Somalia national banner had been flew into sky. A euphoria and an excitement crept into the hearts of the audience when the national anthem is played compounded with the national folklore dance. It was amazing moment for all.

One thing was noted was that the president Abdilahi Farmaajo didn’t deliver his national speech as usual. A report issued by the presidency afterwards said that he will make his monologue today.

Historically, Somalia wasn’t under one European colonist: the British Empire ruled the north part of Somalia currently known as “Somaliland”, French colonized the land of Isse and Afar “Djibouti”, Italy occupied the breadbasket of Southern Somalia.

Ogaden, Somali territory still a part of the Ethiopian national land mass. Britain included it into Ethiopian map before its departure likewise National Frontier District “NFD” of Kenya. They brought under Kenyan subjugation. According to Aljazeera documentary, the Somalis in Kenya are not Kenyan enough to this day.

In prewar Somalia, President Siyad Barre waged deadly invasion of the Ogaden territory but the military gains were soon turned into humiliating defeat by the reinforcements of Yemeni, Cuban armies not to mention the Russian cutting edge arms that supplied to Ethiopia when Barre switched sides.

Somalia didn’t tried to annex the NFD so far. However, after 60 years of “fake” independence. Somalia faces unprecedented crisis: hunger, lawlessness, and fragmentation never seen in human history.

This celebration for independence came when Kenya wants more of Somalia maritime resources while Somalia government controls little of the country. It also coincided when the country faces an existential threat of Al-Shabab.