On behalf of the United States, best wishes on the occasion of Somalia’s 57th Independence Day.

Over the past four years, the Somali people have made an earnest effort to turn the tide toward a more stable path. We commend the Federal Government of Somalia for the advances made in the political process and security sector reform, as well as for its efforts to meet the urgent needs of its people caused by the ongoing drought. We hope the government will complete the constitutional review and lay the groundwork for a resilient country with a durable federal structure. A spirit of reconciliation must undergird this state-building process as Somalia moves forward to reclaim a brighter future.

The United States looks forward to strengthening our partnership with a Somalia that is advancing toward a more peaceful, democratic, and prosperous future.