Somaliland’s Foreign Minister Hon. Abdirahman Dahir Adam has declared Taiwan a “crucial partner” during a landmark visit, emphasizing deepened cooperation for mutual prosperity.
Speaking at a meeting with Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung on Thursday, Adam expressed gratitude for Taiwan’s support in healthcare, education, and infrastructure, pledging to expand bilateral ties.
Leading the first ministerial delegation from Somaliland’s new government, Adam arrived in Taipei on Monday for a five-day visit. The delegation, including Coast Guard Commander Ahmed Hurre Hariye and Minister of the Presidency Hon. Khadar Hussein Abdi, signed a maritime security agreement with Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration.
The pact will grant Somaliland access to Taiwan’s advanced small-vessel radar network, encrypted coastal surveillance tools, and joint training, bolstering security along its 850-kilometer coastline near the strategic Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint.
Adam also visited Taiwan’s International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) to discuss ongoing and future collaborative projects. Taiwan has previously funded significant initiatives in Somaliland, including a $1.85 million road expansion connecting Egal International Airport to Hargeisa and a $22 million medical center at Hargeisa Group Hospital.
The visit underscores the strengthening relationship between Taiwan and Somaliland, which established representative offices in each other’s capitals in 2020.
The delegation’s engagements also include talks with National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu, reflecting the strategic importance of the partnership.
As Somaliland seeks international recognition and Taiwan counters regional geopolitical pressures, this visit signals a deepening alliance with potential to reshape dynamics in the Horn of Africa.