Independence Day (Somaliland)

Independence Day in Somaliland (Arabic:عيد استقلال أرض الصومال) is an annual celebration held on 18 May in Somaliland to mark the polity's declaration of independence from the Somali Democratic Republic,[1] a unilateral proclamation which remains unrecognized the world over.[2] Although internationally seen only as an autonomous area of Somalia,[3] the territory's self-declared independence has endured, and the twentieth anniversary was celebrated in 2011 at the National Palace in Hargeisa, Somaliland's capital, with shops closing down for the day.[4]

Independence Day عيد استقلال أرض الصومال
Somali women at independence day celebrations with the flag of Somaliland
Observed bySomaliland
TypeNational Day
SignificanceMark the Republic of Somaliland's Restoration of sovereignty and end of the unity with Somali Democratic Republic in 1991.
CelebrationsFlag hoisting, parades, award ceremonies, singing patriotic songs and the national anthem, speeches by the President and Vice President, entertainment and cultural programs.
Date18 May
Next time18 May 2025 (2025-05-18)
Frequencyannual
edit


References

edit
  1. ^ "Somaliland Celebrates 20 Years of Self-Declared Independence". Voice of America. 18 May 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
  2. ^ Human Rights Watch (Organization), Chris Albin-Lackey, "Hostages to peace": threats to human rights and democracy in Somaliland, (Human Rights Watch: 2009), p.43.
  3. ^ Somaliland’s Quest for International Recognition and the HBM-SSC Factor Archived May 28, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ Gebreselassie, Elias (23 May 2011). "Somalia: Unrecognised Somaliland Celebrates 20 Years of Self-Rule". AllAfrica.com. Retrieved 24 May 2011.