Somaliland’s representative to Taiwan, Ambassador Mohamoud Adam Jama (Galaal), has urged China to stay out of Somaliland’s relations with Taipei, describing Beijing’s attempts to interfere in the ties as “foolhardy” and calling for peaceful coexistence.
In an interview with Radio Taiwan International (RTI), Ambassador Galaal defended Somaliland’s right to determine its own international partnerships, saying no country should dictate whom Somaliland can establish relations with.
“We believe that nobody should be dictating to us who we are friends with, who we have relationships with, and so it’s China’s problem,” Galaal told RTI.
The ambassador also warned that China’s involvement in diplomatic disputes could undermine its economic momentum, pointing to the country’s rapid growth and development over the past decade.
“I think China is foolhardy in getting involved in this type of spat, simply because China has shown over the past decade a tremendous trajectory of growth and development,” Galaal said. “And history has shown us that conflicts, even minor conflicts, can jeopardize that momentum.”
Somaliland and Taiwan established representative offices in 2020 and have since expanded cooperation across healthcare, education, agriculture, energy and maritime security.
One of the major projects currently underway is a $22 million Taiwan-funded medical center at Hargeisa Group Hospital, which Galaal said is expected to be completed in about 18 months.
Taiwan has also supported Somaliland’s electoral institutions. Galaal highlighted Taiwan’s funding of 2,500 biometric voter-verification sets in 2021, followed by additional institutional support for Somaliland’s electoral commission in 2024. He said discussions are already underway over possible Taiwanese assistance for Somaliland’s planned 2028 elections.
The relationship has also expanded into education and security. Nearly 200 Somaliland nationals are currently pursuing postgraduate studies in Taiwan, while Taiwanese officials have conducted assessments along Somaliland’s coastline as part of maritime security cooperation.
Economic cooperation is emerging as another area of growing interest, particularly around Somaliland’s critical mineral resources.
Galaal said a Taiwan-linked U.S. company is currently “actively surveying and getting data together” on Somaliland’s mineral resources. He also said he has had extensive contact with Taiwanese businesses interested in the sector.
Asked whether Taiwan’s efforts to develop so-called non-Red critical-mineral supply chains are part of discussions with Somaliland, Galaal replied, “Yes, it does.” He added that he expected “a lot more in months to come on this subject.”
The ambassador also pointed to Taiwan as an example of how a country can achieve substantial economic and institutional progress despite limited international recognition.
“Taiwan has demonstrated with limited recognition, you can do a great deal,” Galaal said. “A great deal can be achieved with the right governance, with the right policy, and with democratic values, I believe.”
Galaal’s comments come as Somaliland and Taiwan continue to deepen their cooperation, while Beijing maintains its opposition to Taiwan’s international engagement and has repeatedly objected to official ties between Taipei and Somaliland.