Somaliland Independence Day

Celebrating Somaliland Independence Day

Welcome to the unrecognized country of Somaliland. Every May this east African nation celebrates its “Somaliland Independence Day or 18 May” from the rest of Somalia with an elaborate military parade.

Somaliland History

According Somaliland history, Somaliland declared itself independent in 1991 after a civil war in which Somali dictator Siad Barre bombed the rebel Somaliland capital Hargeisa to hell and back. Somalilanders re-grouped and fought a guerilla war from beyond the border in neighboring Ethiopia from 1988 to 1991. After the war, the local Somali National Movement (SNM)unilaterally declared independence from the south. They have celebrated on the streets of Hargeisa every year since. It’s independence remains unrecognized by any state or international organization.

The Parade

The parade goes on for almost a kilometre and all participants pass in front of a stage where the president of the Republic as well as dignitaries and government members sit and watch it.

For a small, unrecognized country, Somaliland has a sizeable army and its navy and infantry takes no small part in the parade. All sorts of guns, vehicles and soldiers are exhibited. We were told, however, that this is only a small part of the army, as another, bigger part, needs to stay stationed at the border, in case Somalia decided to use this opportunity to invade and take back the country. Some parts of the parade are quirkier than others, for example, a lion in a cage was paraded this year.

REFERENCES – from our outbound partner tour operators

1. Rocky Road Travel
2. Young Pioneer Adventures