Mogadishu, July 1, 2025 — Somalia marked the 65th anniversary of its independence with patriotic celebrations across the country and warm messages of solidarity from international partners reaffirming their support for the Horn of Africa nation.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud led the national ceremony in Mogadishu, where he paid tribute to the country’s founding leaders, freedom fighters, and the spirit of unity that brought together the northern and southern regions on July 1, 1960. In his address, the president called for national cohesion, dialogue, and sustained commitment to federalism and reconciliation.
As the Somali people observed the milestone, a number of key international partners sent formal messages congratulating the country and expressing continued commitment to supporting Somalia’s development, security, and sovereignty.
The Italian Embassy in Mogadishu, in a statement posted on social media, conveyed its congratulations, stating:
“On the occasion of Somali Independence Day, Italy in Somalia extends heartfelt wishes for a prosperous future to the Somali people.”
Italy, with its long historical relationship with Somalia, remains a vital diplomatic and development partner.
From Sweden, King Carl XVI Gustaf delivered a message to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, expressing warm congratulations and best wishes to the government and people of Somalia. The message, shared via national media, reflected Sweden’s ongoing support for Somalia’s state-building efforts.
The United States also marked the occasion. The U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu published a statement noting,
“The United States congratulates the people of Somalia on their Independence Day.”
The U.S. remains a strategic partner to Somalia, particularly in the areas of security cooperation, governance, and humanitarian assistance.
The British Embassy in Somalia released a message on behalf of King Charles III, offering warm wishes to the Somali people as they celebrated 65 years of independence. The UK continues to play a central role in Somalia’s peace and development sectors through both bilateral and multilateral platforms.
The African Union, through the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, extended formal congratulations to the people and government of Somalia. The AU praised the resilience of the Somali people and reaffirmed its steadfast support for Somalia’s national priorities. In a separate statement, the acting head of the AU’s peace support mission in Somalia (ATMIS) commended Somali security forces for their contributions to peace and stability.
Somalia’s 65th Independence Day is a reminder of both the challenges and the achievements of a nation that continues to push forward—guided by the sacrifices of its past and the aspirations of its people.
