STORY: Somalia marks 59th Independence

Anniversary
DURATION: 1:20
SOURCE: AMISOM PUBLIC INFORMATION
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LANGUAGE: ENGLISH NATURAL SOUND
DATELINE: 1/JULY/2019, MOGADISHU, SOMALIA

SHOT LIST:

1. Wide shot, invited guests attending the ceremony to mark Somalia’s

59th Independence Anniversary
2. Med shot, the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African
Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Francisco
Madeira interacting with Somali government officials and other invited
guests during the ceremony to mark Somalia’s 59th Independence
Anniversary
3. Wide shot, Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed ‘Farmajo’
interacting with guests during the ceremony to mark Somalia’s 59th
Independence Anniversary
4. Med shot, Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed ‘Farmajo’
interacting with guests during the ceremony to mark Somalia’s 59th
Independence Anniversary
5. Wide shot, invited guests attending the ceremony to mark Somalia’s
59th Independence Anniversary
6. Wide shot, invited guests attending the ceremony to mark Somalia’s
59th Independence Anniversary
7. Close up shot, Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed
‘Farmajo’ listening during the ceremony to mark Somalia’s 59th
Independence Anniversary
8. Med shot, Somali government officials listening during the ceremony to
mark Somalia’s 59th Independence Anniversary
9. Wide shot, invited guests attending the ceremony to mark Somalia’s
59th Independence Anniversary
10. Wide shot, invited guests attending the ceremony to mark Somalia’s
59th Independence Anniversary
11. Med shot, invited guests attending the ceremony to mark Somalia’s
59th Independence Anniversary
12. Wide shot, invited guests attending the ceremony to mark Somalia’s
59th Independence Anniversary
13. SOUNDBITE: (ENGLISH) MOHAMED ABDULLAHI FARMAJO,
PRESIDENT OF SOMALIA
 “We are here to work with our international partners to build a great
future for our people. However, we expect more development projects
and maybe fewer aid programmes from now on.”

14. Med shot, Somali President, Mohamed Abdulllahi Mohamed ‘Farmajo’

greeting government officials and invited guests after giving his
remarks during the event to mark Somalia’s 59th Independence
Anniversary

Somalia marks 59th Independence Anniversary

MOGADISHU, 2 July 2019 - Somalia yesterday marked its 59th Independence Day,
during which President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed ‘Farmajo’ called on
international partners to prioritise development support rather than aid for the
country.

The President hosted a state banquet for members of the international community
resident in Somalia. The banquet took place at the presidential palace, the Villa
Somalia, in the capital, Mogadishu.

While speaking at the banquet, the President hailed international partners for the
unwavering support to Somalia over the years, and noted that the support has
substantially boosted the country’s recovery efforts.

“We are here to work with our international partners to build a great future for our
people. However, we expect more development projects and maybe fewer aid
programmes from now on,” President Farmajo said.

In attendance were representatives of multilateral and bilateral partners that have

played a critical role in Somalia’s path to stability.

These included the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) led by Ambassador
Francisco Madeira, the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African
Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia. Other guests included African and Asian
diplomats accredited to Somalia from Egypt, India, Kenya, Sudan, Qatar and
Uganda, as well as top Somali government officials from ministries, departments and
agencies.

Somalia attained self-rule as a unified country on 1 July 1960. This year, the
independence anniversary celebrations began at midnight with the hoisting of the
national flag across the country’s regions and in the capital, Mogadishu.

The President said that the country’s Independence Day was a celebration of the
hope and enthusiasm of the people, and underlined the commitment of Somalis to
live harmoniously with their neighbours.
He also highlighted achievements by his government to fight corruption, boost
revenue collection, payment of salaries, and economic reforms to enable Somalia to
qualify for debt relief.

“I believe Somalia has a bright future as indicated by the faith, strength and resilience
of my people. Somalia will defeat its enemies and we are determined to advance in
all sectors,” said the President.
ENDS