By Hassan Adan
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud joined senior government officials and military commanders in Mogadishu on Monday to mark the 72nd anniversary of the adoption of Somalia’s national flag.
The ceremony featured personnel from the Somali National Army’s land, air and naval forces, highlighting the role of the armed forces in defending the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national independence.
President Hassan Sheikh underscored the historical significance of October 12, describing the national flag as a symbol of Somali unity, the struggle for independence and the sacrifices made by those who fought for the country’s freedom.
The event was attended by the Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, the Speaker of the House of the People, the First Deputy Speaker of the Upper House, the Chief Justice and commanders of Somalia’s armed forces.
Somalia observes National Flag Day every October 12 to commemorate the adoption of its national flag in 1954, six years before the country gained independence and formed the Somali Republic in 1960.
Designed by Somali scholar Mohamed Awale Liban, the flag features a light-blue background with a white five-pointed star at its centre. It was adopted on October 12, 1954, during the United Nations trusteeship period in southern Somalia.
The flag was first raised in Hargeisa on June 26, 1960, when the former British Somaliland gained independence. On July 1, 1960, the former Italian-administered territory gained independence, and the two territories united to establish the Somali Republic, with the flag becoming the national symbol of the newly independent state.
The five-pointed star is widely associated with the five territories historically inhabited by Somalis: the former British Somaliland, Italian Somaliland, French Somaliland, the Ogaden and the Northern Frontier District of Kenya.
The flag has since remained a central symbol of Somalia’s national identity, representing the aspirations for unity among Somalis across the Horn of Africa.
Monday’s commemoration comes as Somalia continues to pursue national stability, strengthen its state institutions and address security challenges.
The annual observance provides an opportunity to reflect on the country’s independence struggle and the significance of national unity.
National Flag Day is distinct from Somalia’s Independence Day celebrations on June 26 and July 1. While October 12 marks the adoption of the national flag in 1954, June 26 commemorates independence in the former British Somaliland, and July 1 marks the independence of the former Italian Somaliland and the union that established the Somali Republic.
The three dates remain important milestones in Somalia’s modern history, reflecting the development of its national identity, the end of colonial rule and the formation of the independent Somali state.
