On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to send best wishes to the people of Somalia as you celebrate your 52nd independence day this July 1.  

Over the past year, progress has been made toward stability in Somalia.  The Transitional Federal Government and Somalia’s regional governments helped mitigate the effects of drought and famine, improve security and access to assistance for Somalis displaced by the drought and al Shabaab’s violence, and made real political progress to conclude the transitional process.  Thanks to the ongoing efforts by the Somali National Security Forces and the African Union Mission in Somalia, Mogadishu and its surrounding areas are largely free from al-Shabaab, and its influence in southern and central Somalia is waning.

As you celebrate your Independence Day, know that you have a dedicated partner in the people of the United States.  Our support for Somalia and the Somali people will continue beyond the end of the transition.  We stand with the people of Somalia on your path toward peace, stability, prosperity.