Hargeisa June 26, 2023 (SD) – An elaborate celebration commemorating the 63rd anniversary of the independence of Somaliland, which was proclaimed when the northern regions of Somaliland obtained their freedom from the British, took place yesterday at the Presidential Palace in Somaliland’s capital.

The outgoing President of Somaliland, Muse Bihi Abdi, first and foremost extended his heartfelt congratulations to the people of Somaliland on the occasion of the 63rd anniversary. He emphasized the significance of this milestone, highlighting the hardships endured during the struggle for independence and the profound sense of unity that brought together the people of South Somalia, who were once under Italian colonial rule.

President Muse Bihi Abdi expressed his belief that Somaliland regained its independence from Italian colonial rule in 1960 through legal and legitimate means. He stated that Somaliland had its own well-established legal foundations upon which it relied.

“Tonight marks the evening when the country’s legally recognized (de jure) independence was achieved, for we possess our own laws while they do not. After 63 years, it is incumbent upon us to solidify our independence and our recognized status in the world through law and diplomacy, fighting for our rightful place. Our duty lies in safeguarding the interests of the nation and the rights of its citizens.”

The President emphasized the pursuit of peace, stability, and the aspiration for recognition and statehood, stating, “We will relentlessly seek nationhood and wage peace, and we will not cease in our pursuit of recognition and our struggle for self-determination.”

President Muse Bihi Abdi concluded by urging unity and resilience, emphasizing that the journey towards independence would require collective efforts and unwavering determination, saying, “Let us find unity in becoming a nation and let us fight for peace, and let us seek recognition and stand firmly against any form of oppression.”

The 63rd anniversary of the independence of the Northern Regions from the British colonial rule comes at a time when Bihi’s military are shelling Las Anod city, similar actions attributed to Northern Regions withdrawing from unity with Somalia in 1991.