Taiwan’s push to grow its presence on the world stage as China poaches its diplomatic allies saw Taipei roll out the red carpet on Wednesday to a new friend in a similar position — Somaliland.
Taiwan and Somaliland are both thriving, self-run democracies that remain mostly unrecognized by the wider world.
Finding common ground in their peculiar and isolated international status, the two have forged strong ties since swapping de facto embassies in 2020 — moves that sparked anger from both China and Somalia.
On Wednesday, Somaliland Foreign Minister Dr. Essa Kayd Mohamoud described ties with Taiwan as “a special and historical relationship between two champions of democracies in Africa and Asia” during his government’s first cabinet-level visit.
“This historic visit marks an important milestone in the strong and cordial relationship between our two countries,” he said while meeting Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen.
“All coercive or threatening measures to deny such collaboration between international partners… do little to promote the peace and security that the region and the world require.”
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia during the 1991 civil war.
Although the move has remained unrecognized by the international community, the territory has thrived as a comparative beacon of stability.
Somalia blasted the swapping of offices between Taiwan and Somaliland as a “reckless attempt” to infringe on its sovereignty, while Beijing accused Taipei of separatism and “acting with desperation.”
China views Taiwan as its own territory and has vowed to one day re-seize it, by force if needed.
Beijing’s sabre-rattling towards Taiwan has increased markedly under President Xi Jinping.
The two sides have for decades been engaged in a diplomatic tug-of-war trying to woo the other’s allies with financial and other incentives.
Only 14 countries now diplomatically recognize Taiwan over China, after Nicaragua became the latest to switch sides in December.
However, some nations maintain embassy equivalent trade offices in Taipei, and Taiwan has been increasingly embraced on the world stage by many western powers in response to Beijing’s more hostile rhetoric.
Earlier, Somaliland ministerial delegation’s travelled 7th February, on an official visit to Taiwan.
According to Taiwan Today, The Delegation leading Foreign Minister Dr Essa Keyd, included Minister of Finance Dr Saad Ali, Planning Dr Omer Abdilahi and Livestock Hon. Said Sulub.
During the delegation’s Feb. 8 to 12 visit, members will receive an audience with President Tsai Ing-wen and meet with Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu, Economic Minister Wang Mei-hua and Council of Agriculture Minister Chen Chi-chung, as well as Coast Guard Administration Director-General Chou Mei-wu and Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) President Huang Chi-fang.
According to the MOFA, the group will also attend a banquet hosted by Wu and call on the country’s foremost foreign aid organization International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) and state-run petroleum supplier CPC Corporation, Taiwan to discuss future cooperative projects.
Located in the Horn of Africa, Somaliland enjoys a close friendship and many years of mutually beneficial collaboration with Taiwan. Both sides share the universal values of freedom, democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law, the ministry added.
Since the opening of respective representative offices in 2020, the MOFA said, the two sides have successfully collaborated in projects spanning agriculture, education, health care, resources development and trade. (SFC-E)