The Taiwan Representative Office in the Republic of Somaliland has issued a statement welcoming U.S. Senator Ted Cruz’s recent call for the United States to formally recognize Somaliland’s sovereignty. Senator Cruz, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, urged President Donald Trump to grant statehood recognition to Somaliland, citing its strategic importance and partnership with the U.S. and allies like Taiwan. The statement from Taiwan’s office emphasizes the growing international support for the Taiwan-Somaliland relationship, which it says is built on shared democratic values and mutual interests.
The office expressed enthusiasm for Cruz’s advocacy, stating, “Taiwan is glad to see more and more democratic like-minded partners endorsing the values of the Taiwan-Somaliland relationship, which can catalyze more international support for both nations.” Taiwan has been actively engaging with partners, led by the United States, to discuss Somaliland’s recognition and will continue to monitor developments closely.
In the same statement, the Taiwan Representative Office sharply rebuked China’s territorial claims over Taiwan, calling them “false” and a distortion of reality. It reiterated, “Neither Taiwan nor China is subordinate to the other, and Taiwan has never been governed by China for a second.” This response addresses China’s ongoing criticism of Somaliland’s ties with Taiwan, particularly following a recent maritime cooperation agreement between the two.
Taiwan’s office urged China to cease its “hostile rhetoric and cognitive warfare” aimed at destabilizing the Horn of Africa and to uphold values of peace and stability.
The Taiwan-Somaliland partnership, formalized in 2020, has grown through development aid, technology transfers, and security cooperation, despite pressure from China and Somalia. Cruz’s letter to Trump highlighted Somaliland’s role as a key U.S. ally in counterterrorism and regional security, noting its strategic location along the Gulf of Aden and its support for Taiwan. The Taiwan Representative Office’s statement underscores the potential for this relationship to strengthen both nations’ global standing, particularly as Somaliland’s democratic progress, exemplified by its 2024 presidential election, gains international attention.
As geopolitical tensions rise, with China opposing Somaliland’s recognition and its ties with Taiwan, the Taiwan Representative Office’s statement signals a firm commitment to deepening bilateral ties and advocating for mutual recognition on the global stage.