MOGADISHU (SD) – The June 26th Independence commemoration ceremonies was held last night in Mogadishu and Hargeisa last night.

On June 26, 1960 the flag of the Somali Republic was first raised on Somali soil, after Britain granted independence to then the northern regions of Somalia, now Somaliland.

Both Mogadishu and Hargeisa hosted a ceremony last night to mark the 62nd anniversary of the independence of the northern regions of Somalia.

At midnight on June 26, 1960, the Somali Republic flag was hoisted in the central square of Hargeisa, followed by days long major celebrations.

A large crowd carrying Somali flags gathered at Boondheere district in Mogadishu last night to celebrate the 62nd anniversary of the independence of the northern regions of Somalia.

A large crowd of Somaliland flag-bearers gathered at the Kheyriya Square in Hargeisa last night to celebrate the 62nd anniversary of their independence from Britain.

Mogadishu and Hargeisa governments celebrated the June 26th differently, with Mogadishu marking it as a unifying milestone, while Hargeisa insists it lost its independence on that day.