Somaliland Government Commends US Support of its Relations with Taiwan

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Somaliland and Taiwan seal diplomatic ties

THT: We appreciate @WHNSC support of the new relationship of Somaliland-Taiwan. Somaliland and U.S. share many of the same values and interests. We both represent beacons of peace, democracy and free markets. We both share also many of the same close allies.

This was tweeted by the Somaliland ministry of Foreign affairs in response to the Support accorded the country’s diplomatic relations by the United States of America National Security Council via a tweet that read NSC

@WHNSC Great to see #Taiwan stepping up its engagement in East #Africa in a time of such tremendous need. #Taiwan is a great partner in health, education, technical assistance, and more!

Reports of the relationship between Hargeisa and Taipei have been cast in the shadows of the wider U.S. – China rift and overall influence in Africa, especially under the Trump administration.

In Taipei the Taiwanese government also commented on the US national Security council support through a tweet by the ministry of foreign affairs that read

外交部 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ROC (Taiwan) Flag of Taiwan

@MOFATaiwan  We sincerely appreciate  @WHNSC  recognizing #Taiwan as a proven partner in prosperity & the many areas in which #TaiwanCanHelp. The country is a good global citizen committed to advancing sustainable development in East #Africa & around the world.

According to the White House website “The NSC is the President’s principal forum for considering national security and foreign policy matters with his senior national security advisors and cabinet officials. The Council also serves as the President’s principal arm for coordinating these policies among various government agencies.” China has expressly condemned the diplomatic overtures with its envoy in Somalia meeting with President Mohammed Abdullahi Farmaajo in the wake of Taiwan – Somaliland relations. Commenting on the US position, Rashid Abdi, a Horn of Africa researcher and analyst, described the move as unprecedented. “This is unprecedented – US National Security Council lauds Taiwan for recognising Somaliland’s independence.

“While rivalry with China in the Red Sea certainly the main driver, the potential gains for Somaliland in long-term seems clear,” he tweeted. But for people pushing for Somaliland independence, they have camped under the NSC tweet thanking the US government for “recognition,” others are calling for the rest of the world to do same. The Somaliland government has however not commented on the development as yet. Taiwan on July 3, appointed Ambassador Lou Chen-Hwa, as the head of Taiwan Representative Office in Somaliland. On the other hand, Ambassador Hagi Mohamed is set to head the reverse office in Taipei.

By: Yusuf M Hasan

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