Somalia: Islamists ban Independence Day celebration

Somali radical group Hizbul Islam announced on Wednesday to ban celebration of Somalia's Independence Day. Moallim Hashi, a former warlord and top leader of Hizbul Islam militias, urged civilians not to attend the celebration and also ordered local radio stations not to broadcast programs for the country's Independence Day on 1st July.

Speaking to reporters in Mogadishu, Hashi threatened to punish the local Radio stations and civilians if they celebrate in Mogadishu.

"We are warning the radio stations not to attend or celebrate the country’s Independence Day on 1st July. Also not to broadcast the address of the government leaders or politicians on that day," Moallim Hashi was quoted.

Northern and southern Somalia have got its independence from British and Italy colony in 26 June and 1 July in 1960th and both regions united in first July to look for great Somalia.

The Somali Youth league was founded by 13 heroics Somalis in 1943. The 13 were the brains behind the independence of Somali republic.

The SYL's objectives were to unify all Somali territories, including the NFD (North Eastern Province of Kenya), the Oagdenia region in current Ethiopia and Djibouti.

SYL policy banned clannishness so that the thirteen founding members, although representing four of Somalia's five major clans, refused to disclose their clan affiliations. The SYL succeeded in uniting all Somali clans under its flag and led the country to independence.

But the Al-Qaeda linked group of Al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam which control most of southern Somalia and parts of Mogadishu have rejected the national flag and celebration of independence.

They say the national flag of the country has been changed from blue to black - the official colour of the insurgents.

Al-Qaeda Group and its allies in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and other countries use the black flag and argue that it belongs to Muslims but it is not easy for Somalis to accept that fact.

In 2009 Somali displaced people at Elsha Biyaha, 15 Km (9 miles) southwest of the capital Mogadishu, clashed with the insurgents after the group arrested a headmaster who raised a Somali flag over his school.

Somalia has not had an affective government since warlords overthrew long time dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.