Somalia celebrates 60 years of divisive independence

Somali Prime Minister Abdurashid Ali Shermarke (R) shakes hands with President Aden Abdullah Osman Daar (L) in Mogadishu on June 26, a few days before the proclamation of the Republic of Somalia, on July 1. AFP PHOTO

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60 years ago, the Republic of Somalia was proclaimed. On June 26, 1960, the former British protectorate of Somaliland gained independence. Five days later, on July 1, it was the turn of Italian Somalia. And in the process, this July 1, 1960, the two countries merge. However, the ambition of a great united Somalia will quickly come to an end.

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On July 1, 1960, the union of the two young states of Somaliland to the north and Somalia to the south was proclaimed in jubilation. The Republic of Somalia was born.

As soon as independence was proclaimed, the pan-Somali movement seemed to begin to materialize: the idea was then to unite Djibouti, the Ogaden region in Ethiopia as well as northeast Kenya, whose populations are predominantly Somali. .

But soon enough, the union between the former British protectorate of Somaliland and the former Italian Somalia shows its limits. At the center of disagreements, differences over political, administrative or legal organization. The differences in cultures from the two colonizers also. And as power moves to Mogadishu, the capital of the south, the Somalilanders feel marginalized.

Over the years, corruption, clan wars, jihadist rebellion and the collapse of the state have plunged Somalia into chaos and violence. On the other hand, in the north, Somaliland, although extremely poor, knows peace and relative stability.

In 1991, Somaliland proclaimed its independence but was not recognized by the international community. Today, north and south still have antagonistic relationships . Sixty years after independence, the great plan for national union has stalled.

Bitter birthday for refugees

And this tumultuous story has pushed millions of Somali residents over the years to leave their country. Many have fled to neighboring Kenya. It is therefore a bitter-tasting anniversary celebrated by Somalis in Kenya, underlines our correspondent in Nairobi, Charlotte Simonart.

Hussein Halane, writer and poet, arrived in Nairobi in 2015. “  On the one hand, it is a day to celebrate for the independence of our country, but on the other hand, the situation in which the Somalia is today makes me sad : a country destroyed, divided and struggling to recover from the civil war of the 90s. The federal government and the member states are struggling to rebuild the nation. It will come but it will take a long time.  "

Hassan Ganhug, 28, intends to celebrate the 60th birthday of his country, Somalia, even if he left it 15 years ago to study in Kenya. “  It is a very important day that we cannot forget. Youth must change the way the Somali people think. Cease the clan, individual logics and think collectively, join our hands and work together for the common good. We remain hopeful. The reconstruction of the state and the nation is already underway.  "

Youth hopeful as Somalia prepares for the upcoming historic parliamentary elections. Universal suffrage for the first time in 50 years.

For several years, the international community - which is rather represented by the United States and European countries - has been pushing for the two countries to meet at least (...) so there have been rapprochements but that remains very not very productive….

Robert Wiren

Jeanne Richard

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  • Somalia
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