The Somaliland Mission to the UK, in partnership with Somaliland Society UK, and others would like to invite you to celebrate the 59th Anniversary of Somaliland’s birth as an independent country from Britain. This historic day marks the assertion of Somaliland’s independence on 26th June 1960. This year’s 26th June celebratory event will include poetry, Folk Dance from QORAAN and panel discussion. The keynote speakers of the event include Dr Edna Adan Ismail, Omar Daauus; artist and poet, Dr Mohammed-Aar Abdullahi, Adam Ahmed Yusuf ' Swahili', Amal Deria, Ahmed Ismail Hussien XUDAYDI ( King of Lute), H.E Liban Yusuf Osman ( Deputy Minister for Health and Former Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation), Abdinasir Omar (Vice Minister for information, Culture and Guidance and former Vice Minister for Health Development) and many more.

Historical background:

Over half a century ago, on 26 June 1960, the hard-fought struggle for the self-determination of the Somaliland people was finally realised, and Somaliland won its independence from the British Empire, making Somaliland one of the oldest sovereign nations on the African continent, the 12th country to receive their independence and was then congratulated from 36 countries including five permanent security council.

The theme of the celebrations this year will be ‘Placing Somaliland in Historical Context’. While Somaliland has come to the world’s attention for its recent resurgence as a democratic and peaceful country following our struggle to reclaim our independence and the war and atrocity that accompanied it, less is known about the deeper roots of the Somaliland story, one that stretches back to the height of African liberation.

Recognising this history, reckoning with the mistakes of Somali union that followed, and understanding its lessons for Somaliland’s current path of independent self-governance, not only illuminates the moral, legal and political foundations of Somaliland’s claims for recognition, but also demonstrates the unfinished business that is Somaliland’s struggle for liberation, one that will only culminate with Somaliland’s recognised status as an equal actor among the community of nations.

We sincerely hope that you will honour us with your presence.

Any queries or questions kindly contact our event coordinator Miss Ugbad Iman at:

Email: ugbad@somaliland-mission.com

Tel: 020 3441 2631

Thank you in advance for your commitment to participate in the celebration of Somaliland’s independence day.

Somaliland Mission to the UK and the Commonwealth