“Somaliland is a country in East Africa that is currently a key player in the Africa project in Taiwan,” said Taiwan’s President H.E. Tsai Ing-wen
“Taiwan-Somaliland friendship will not be compromised by external interference.” Somaliland FM
“As a government, we are committed to strengthening the friendship and expanding exchanges between Taiwan and Somaliland,” Taiwan FM
THT-Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen received a visiting ministerial delegation from Somaliland at the State House on Thursday, 10th February 2022.
The President of Taiwan, accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and other officials, and the Somaliland delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Isse Keyd, discussed bilateral cooperation and interests.
The President of Taiwan and the Somaliland delegation underlined that cooperation and relations between Somaliland and Taiwan are deep-rooted friendly relations and no foreign enemy can harm them.
Speaking at a reception for the President of Taiwan, Dr. Isse, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Somaliland, said that his country is interested in and welcomes investment by Taiwanese businessmen in the oil and mineral resources in Somaliland.
Speaking about China’s interference in Somaliland’s relations with Taiwan, he said, “Somaliland’s friendship with Taiwan is not compromised by external pressure.”
Speaking at the reception for the Somaliland delegation, Taiwan’s President H.E. Tsai Ing-wen said that in recent years her country has taken diplomatic steps, including
“Africa’s new ally, Somaliland, and both nations have opened diplomatic missions in the capitals.”
Since 2020, “Taiwan and Somaliland, who were new friends, have become now closer friends. Somaliland is a country in East Africa that is currently a key player in the Taiwan’s Africa project,” President of Taiwan avowed.
The President of Taiwan said that the Medigen, whose Chinese name literally means “high-end” vaccine made in Taiwan for COVID-19 has been donated to Somaliland for the first time outside the world, A gesture show for the relationship between the two countries.
In a message posted on his Twitter account, the Republic of Somaliland Foreign Minister Dr. Essa Keyd has welcomed the special relationship with Taiwan, saying “the two democracies in Africa and Asia have a special and historic relationship.”
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Md. Joseph Wu hosted a dinner for the visiting Somaliland delegation last night.
A statement posted on Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry’s Twitter account said, “The warm welcome and constructive exchanges point to a bright future for Somaliland and Taiwan with opportunities.”
Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Md. Joseph underlined that they will strongly defend their safety and dignity, at a meeting with the Somaliland delegation on Thursday night.
“We all love freedom and democracy, but we will also fight hard for our safety and dignity. Support from both sides is key, as Taiwan and Somaliland are strong partners.” said Md. Wu added, “As a government, we are committed to strengthening the friendship and expanding exchanges between Taiwan and Somaliland.”
Somaliland and Taiwan, meanwhile, have reacted strongly to angry remarks from the Chinese government over Somaliland-Taiwan relations. Somaliland Foreign Minister Dr. Isse Kay, in a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry of China, stated that Somaliland, although not a member of the United Nations, has the right to have friendly and diplomatic relations with the world. And that the relationship between Somaliland and Taiwan is inviolable.”
“As an independent state, it is Somaliland’s right to treat all peoples of the world in a peaceful and friendly manner, in accordance with international law,” said Dr. Issa Kayd.
He added: “All coercive or threatening measures to prevent such cooperation between international partners are not merely a violation of the protocol and rules of international law. They will not contribute much to the peace and security that the region and the world need.” says Dr Keyd.
The Somaliland delegation is on a five-day official visit to Taiwan, who met different Taiwan institutions, departed yesterday from there.