At the ongoing Hargeysa International Book Fair (HIBF) 2025, Edna Adan Ismail, founder of Somaliland’s first maternity hospital, emphasized the nation’s historical independence.
Speaking on Saturday, she stated, “Our borders were not found by Hassan Sheikh; these borders are the same as the British left them.
Please let them know our country became the first Somali country to gain its independence.” Her remarks reflect Somaliland’s unique status as the first Somali territory to gain independence from Britain on June 26, 1960, before voluntarily uniting with Somalia, a move that later fueled its reclaiming of sovereignty 1991 and declaration of independence, still unrecognized internationally.
Somaliland is bigger than 18 African countries, we’re not returning and we’ll continue to running Somaliland as we did for the past 34 years. -stated Edna Adan
“Our country is terror-free and arms smugglers and we are not a failed state. Please enjoy the book fair, enjoy the beauty of Somaliland and welcome.”
Adan’s hospital, built in 2002, has reduced maternal mortality by 75%, according to a 2010 University of Hargeisa study. #HIBF2025 #Somaliland