Somalia: 66 years in the quest for independence

Written by: Ayman Ragab

Aweys Ado, who was 19 years old when the flag was raised, was present to witness the event in Fisho Goberno, the former site of the Mogadishu mayor's residence.

At 12:00 (midnight) on July 1, 1960, Addo was among hundreds of jubilant Somalis who came out to celebrate the birth of the new nation, believing, along with the rest of his generation, that Somalia had finally entered a new era based on unity, freedom, and national pride.

A unified and ethnically homogeneous Somalia consisting of all the Somali people and the unification of other areas inhabited by Somalis in neighboring countries Ethiopia, Kenya and Djibouti (represented by the white five-pointed star in the center of the national flag).

Ado says that after more than six decades, those hopes remain largely unattainable. Despite the optimism that accompanied independence, Somalia slipped into prolonged political instability after the collapse of the Somali central government in 1991, and tribal militias entered the country in a civil war. It took more than ten years before the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia was formed following the Arta Peace Conference in 2000. That government was then replaced by another round of reconciliation talks, held in neighboring Kenya, which led to the formation of the current Federal Government.

From euphoria to disappointment

Ado asserts that the sacrifices made to achieve Somalia's independence did not yield the state he hoped for. Somalia has become an arena of sharp polarization, where internal political conflicts and tribal wars have replaced the unity of the independence generation, according to African Arguments.

Somalia celebrated its 66th Independence Day last week, a celebration very different from the one held when the country was united under one flag.

“That night, when the Somali flag was raised and the Waberi National Band played the national anthem, my eyes filled with tears of joy and happiness, as I wished for a new era for the Somali people.”

He vividly recalls the morning after independence, when the streets were filled with thousands of Somalis who had gathered to witness the swearing-in of the country's first members of parliament. Citizens also assembled in front of the first parliament building to watch as the members elected the first speaker.

Today, that building stands in ruins as one of the physical evidence of the civil war that devastated the country.

The unfulfilled promise of independence

Sixty-six years after independence, Adow believes that Somalia has not fully enjoyed the fruits of the freedom for which its people struggled. Instead of uniting the country and bringing all Somali lands into one nation-state, he says the country has become more divided.

“After 66 years of independence, we have reaped none of the fruits of that,” Adu lamented. “The country has remained in ruins for more than thirty years. Instead of becoming more unified and uniting the three remaining regions, the unity that had been achieved has disintegrated.”.

He is also concerned about the growing political uncertainty surrounding the territorial integrity of Somalia.

“It is ironic that the northern regions, now known as Somaliland, claim to have broken away from Somalia, and now I see Israel recognizing them, although I doubt that this will benefit them because the end result is not real recognition, but I see it as a great irony and I never expected to see this happen one day,” Adu said.

Growing concerns about the territorial integrity of Somalia

Mr. Ado stated that the ambition of other countries to carve out parts of Somalia or control the entire country under the guise of recognition is not an isolated phenomenon, but rather something that has been developing for decades.

It is claimed that foreign countries' ambitions to recognize or separate parts of Somalia have developed over a long period of time.

“I have always believed that Somalia has many enemies who would one day infiltrate it, and that has now happened,” Ado stated. “This is evident in the fact that two governments, Ethiopia and Israel, have, in less than two years, expressed ambitions to annex or recognize parts of Somali territory.” He reiterated that this is not an isolated incident, but rather something that has been brewing for some time.

Increased political divisions

The Somali government announced that it is committed to preserving the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Critics and political opposition groups opposed to the federal government led by Hassan Sheikh Mohamud believe that Somalia's unity is facing one of its most serious challenges since independence. Mohamud's presidential term has ended, but he still insists he is the president.

These issues were emphasized in a statement issued by former Prime Minister and presidential candidate Hassan Ali Khaire on Independence Day.

Khaire added: “It is extremely unfortunate that the greatest damage to the unity of Somalia has occurred during the past four years under the administration of the president whose term has now ended.”.

“He had no national vision, strategy, or program to preserve the unity of the country. Rather, he acted in a way that undermined the cohesion and solidarity of the Somali nation.”

This year's celebrations were also divided along political lines. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud celebrated with the people of Mogadishu, while opposition groups held their own separate celebrations in the capital for the first time on Independence Day this year, further exacerbating the growing political divide.

Remember a different Somalia

Mr. Ado, an 80-year-old former Somali footballer, fondly recalls a time when Somalis were respected worldwide.

He says that the decades-long conflict has damaged the country's reputation and the lives of its people, and despite the country's reconstruction, tribal politics, corruption, nepotism and favoritism continue to undermine the country's goals and progress.

“There are moments when I reflect and ask myself: When will I see Somalia united and free from tribal biases, corruption and nepotism?” Ado expressed his regret.

In contrast, he recalls the early years following independence when the country was united in its determination to build a better life and take its place in the world, but is now deeply divided socially and politically.

He added: “I now see an increasing social and political disintegration among Somalis. If those who shed tears of joy at the flag-raising ceremony in 1960 could see Somalia and its people today, they would have died of grief.”.

Hope transcends divisions

Despite the grim comparison between the situation 66 years ago and the present, and considering all that Somalia has endured, Addo sees a glimmer of hope at the end of the tunnel. Many like him hope to one day see a more united and stronger Somalia.

Ado concluded his speech by saying: “Despite all the difficulties, my hope for the unification of Somalia is not a far-fetched dream; rather, it will soon be realized. If we unite our resources and intellectual capital, we will once again become a strong Somalia.”.