Eastleigh

Thousands gather to commemorate Somalia's Independence Day in Eastleigh

Somalia's Ambassador to Kenya, Jabril Ibrahim Abdulle, addresses the attendees at celebrations held to commemorate Somalia's Independence Day at Paradise Hall in Eastleigh, Nairobi, on July 1, 2024. (Photo: Ahmed Shafat)

By Abdirahman Khalif | Monday, July 1, 2024

Ambassador Jabril Ibrahim congratulated all Somali citizens and further expressed gratitude to the Kenyan government for enabling the celebration.

Somalia's Ambassador to Kenya, Jabril Ibrahim Abdulle, led thousands of people in celebrating Somalia's 64th Independence Day in Eastleigh, Nairobi.

Members of Somalia's Federal Parliament also attended the event at Paradise Hall on Monday, July 1, 2024.

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Top musicians, including Hassan Gantal and Dayah Dalnuurshe, performed nationalistic songs, entertaining the attendees. The event also featured spoken word performances, dhaanto dance, and other cultural activities.

Calls for unity, prosperity, and development were prominent in the speeches of the speakers, who highlighted Somalia's progress and development.

Ambassador Jabril Ibrahim congratulated all Somali citizens and further expressed gratitude to the Kenyan government for enabling the celebration.

"I want to thank our good friend and brother, the government of Kenya, for allowing us to hold these celebrations here," said the ambassador.

Thousands gather to commemorate Somalia's Independence Day in Eastleigh on Monday, July 1, 2024. (Photo: Ahmed Shafat)

Mohamed Ibrahim Maalimow, a former journalist and current MP, spoke on behalf of the members of Parliament. Mohamed emphasised the importance of this day for every Somali and its citizens.

"This is a very important day for Somalia. It is the day Somalia got its independence from the colonisers. Our country is headed in the right direction," the MP stated.

Attendees also expressed their appreciation to the event organisers, highlighting the importance of the day in their lives.

"I want to thank the organisers. I have lived here for eight years but have never seen any Independence Day being held here," Abdullahi Hussein, an Eastleigh resident for over eight years, stated.

Meanwhile, police teargassed and dispersed hundreds of others who gathered around the Twelfth Street roundabout. The law enforcers accused them of blocking traffic.

On July 1, 1960, five days after the former British Somaliland protectorate obtained independence as the State of Somaliland, the territory united with the Trust Territory of Somaliland to form the Somali Republic.

A government was formed by Abdullahi Issa and Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal, along with other members of the trusteeship and protectorate governments.

Abdulcadir Muhammed Aden became President of the Somali National Assembly, Aden Abdullah Osman Daar became President of the Somali Republic, and Abdirashid Ali Shermarke became Prime Minister, later becoming president from 1967 to 1969.

Thousands gather in Eastleigh to celebrate Somalia's 64th Independence Day on Monday, July 1, 2024. Somalia's Ambassador to Kenya, Jabril Ibrahim Abdulle, was among the notable attendees. (Photo: Ahmed Shafat)