1 August, 2026Puntland on Saturday marked the 28th anniversary of its founding with large-scale celebrations in the regional capital, Garowe, where senior government leaders, security forces and thousands of residents gathered to commemorate the autonomous state’s establishment. A colorful ceremony held in Garowe featured a military parade involving members of the Puntland Security Forces alongside government employees, civil servants and representatives from various public institutions. Thousands of residents from Garowe, as well as visitors from other parts of Puntland, attended the celebrations, filling public squares and streets decorated for the occasion. The celebrations included displays by the armed forces, cultural performances and public gatherings highlighting Puntland’s identity and its role within Somalia’s federal system. The annual commemoration remains an important symbol of Puntland’s political identity and its continuing role in Somalia’s evolving federal landscape.