Somaliland is a de facto sovereign state that is not recognized by the international community. Somaliland President Muse Bihi has established a foreign policy strategy based on the development of Hargeisa’s relations with Taipei, meeting Taiwan’s willingness to become strong allies in a “complicated environment.”
Bihi’s stance became crystal clear in 2020, when he rejected an offer from then-Chinese ambassador to Somalia Qin Jian (覃儉) to establish a Chinese liaison office in Somaliland on the condition it halted its diplomatic relationship with Taiwan. He stressed the need to strengthen bilateral ties with Taipei instead of becoming part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which aimed to develop infrastructure in return for a country’s unfavorable stance regarding Taiwan’s sovereignty and efforts to have a primary role in the international arena.
This position was followed-up by the establishment of the “Republic of Somaliland Representative Office in Taiwan,” the largest diplomatic mission of Hargeisa in East Asia. Its name speaks volumes of the two nations’ intention to use “official” and “formal” terms avoided by countries that are worried about possible retaliation from China.
“Both sides are motivated by a spirit of mutual assistance that will never expose any harm whatsoever to the interests of other countries, but rather contributes to international peace and regional economic activities,” Bihi has said.
Since then, the relationship between Hargeisa and Taipei has improved and the two are discussin several areas of common interest. It signals the parties’ willingness to engage in economic, commercial, diplomatic and political matters.
One important sector of common interest is fisheries and coastal zones. Somaliland Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Development Rabi Mohamed in February visited Taiwan to strengthen links on marine and ocean issues. In particular, they are to explore the potential for support, knowledge sharing and collaborative initiatives aimed at maximizing the socioeconomic benefits of marine resources while maintaining long-term viability.
Another strategic area is energy, given Taiwan’s desire to become increasingly independent from China and Somaliland’s compromise in terms of oil exploitation. The first meeting, which took place last year, laid the foundations for cooperation in exploration, exploitation, training and technical expertise, as Somaliland identifies Taiwan as “a partner to cooperate with in oil development.” Somaliland Minister of Energy and Minerals Abdi Abdillahi Farar this year also visited Taiwan to boost cooperation and discuss potential Taiwanese investments in the field.
Taiwan is increasingly contributing to Somaliland’s efforts in protecting and fostering a “safe and democratic environment.” For example, Taiwan donated about US$2 million to Somaliland in support of its presidential and political party elections next month. There is also a line of continuity, considering the financial support Taiwan provided in the previous parliamentary and civic elections in 2021.
The relationship between the two nations continues to show a high level of mutual trust and readiness for further development to secure a future that safeguards the countries’ established democratic institutional structure and strengthens its foundations.
Taiwan’s role could be extremely beneficial to achieving this purpose, given its efforts toward reaching high standards of democracy and rule of law. Somaliland, which is ranked as the only “partly free” state in the Horn of Africa on Freedom House’s “political rights and civil liberty rankings,” wants to follow in the footsteps of its Asian ally. That proves how Taiwan can help in economic and political issues.
Michele Maresca is an analyst at the online international law journal Il Caffe Geopolitico.