GAROWE, Somalia August 1 2012 (Garowe Online) –Across cities
and districts in Puntland and worldwide, people are celebrating Puntland’s 14th
anniversary, Garowe Online reports.
The festivities began early Wednesday morning with almost
every major city holding events, to mark the day Puntland state formed.
In the Puntland capital, President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole
accompanied by Ministers, MPs and government officials was the keynote speaker
as thousands crowded Garowe’s center to take part in the celebrations.
The celebrations began with a parade which women groups,
youth groups, sports teams, horseback riders, schools and universities all took
part in. Puntland security forces also took part in the parade.
The crowd of
thousands of excited Puntlanders, watched as the many different groups paraded
including internally displaced Somalis who have sought refuge in Puntland since
conflict erupted in southern Somalia.
One member of that group, who has been living in Puntland for
11 years, said that Puntland has been home away from home for him.
“I’ve been here for 10 plus years and since that time I have
had three children born in Puntland, even though I spent most of my natural
life in southern Somalia, I can’t see myself living anywhere else than in
Puntland,” said Mohamed Ma’alimo.
President Farole at the event spoke about the great progress
Puntland’s people and institutions have enjoyed and the direction Puntland is
headed.
“Working together Puntland’s people have accomplished a
great amount in terms of development, economic stability and security which has in turn
transformed this once baron land to what it is today, thanks to Almighty God
and Puntlanders’ efforts whether here or abroad. And we will continue to
progress in the right direction,” said President Farole.
The celebrations which are being held across the world will
extend late into the night as Puntlanders wait to celebrate after they break
their fast.
GAROWE ONLINE
