Special events

Flag Day Celebrations, Oct 13

On Oct 13,2009,The Somalia Unit of the American Embassy in Nairobi hosted Somalia Flag day celebration at the residence of U.S. political counselor for Somalia,Robert Patterson,in commemoration for the day Somalia Flag was born in October 12, 1954. The celebration was attended by dignitaries from international community, senior officials of the Transitional Federal government, Somali civil society groups and, some members of Somali Diaspora in Nairobi. 

U.S Ambassador to Nairobi, Michael Ranneberger, TFG Defence Minister, Abdalla Boss, and Ahmed Umar Azhari, a well-known Somali Historian, Ahmed Umar Azhari, were among the speakers who made a moving speeches at the event.  Speaking from Mogadishu on phone, Somalia’s Prime Minister, Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke, expressed his deep gratitude to the U.S embassy in Nairobi for hosting this historical event for Somalia. More than 200 Somali nationals across all clans flocked to the venue and celebrated the day in style.  Young Somalis from a range of youth groups, popularly known as the Generation of Hope, entertained the guests with traditional Somali dance, patriotic songs and the Somali national anthem.  Puntland-based famous Somali poet, Jama’a Kediye, joined the crowd via video link with his poem “Somali baan Ahay” – I am a Somali.

Having not celebrated the event for decades due to continuous civil unrest in their country, Somalis in attendance were seen shedding tears out of nostalgic  and remembrances of the old good days. Traditional Somali food including camel meat and milk was served in plenty as young girls fully claded in Somali traditional attire ushered in the arriving guests. Large historical pictures of former U.S and Somali presidents as well as photos of the celebrated Somali freedom fighters, also known as the SYL [Somali Youth League], got displayed on the walls to emphasize and appreciate past ties between Somalis and the American people. Somali media outlets including TV stations with global outreach made extensive coverage of the event. See more pictures

In recognition of Black History Month, Counselor for Somalia Affairs Bob Patterson hosted a movie screening and discussion about non-violent activism on February 23. After viewing the film “From Montgomery to Memphis,” a documentary about the life of Martin Luther King, Jr., Mr. Patterson engaged the guests in a discussion about the civil rights movement and the positive changes affected without the use of violence.  Some attendees suggested the non-violent campaigns in the United States as a model for the best means of affecting change in Somalia.