Somalia has officially barred individuals holding Taiwanese passports from entering its territory, according to a statement made by Taiwan's foreign ministry on Wednesday. This decision has been interpreted as stemming from increasing Chinese pressure on Somalia as Taiwan continues to strengthen its diplomatic ties with Somaliland, a semi-autonomous region seeking international acknowledgment.
Somaliland, established as an independent entity following the collapse of Somalia’s central government in 1991, operates its own governmental systems, yet struggles with global recognition which hinders its ability to engage in trade and forge security agreements. Recently, Somaliland has begun to formalize its relationship with Taiwan, leading to mounting displeasure from both Somalia and China, as Somaliland resists efforts from Beijing to exert influence in Africa.
This development follows Taiwan’s foreign minister's visit to Eswatini, Africa’s last diplomatic ally for Taiwan, highlighting the ongoing efforts by Taipei to expand its international presence. Taiwan's foreign ministry reported that the Somali Civil Aviation Authority had informed airline operators that Taiwanese passport holders would be denied the opportunity to “enter, exit and transit” through Somalia starting Wednesday.
Officially, Somali authorities cited adherence to United Nations Resolution 2758, a resolution passed in 1971 that recognized the People’s Republic of China as the legitimate representative of China at the UN, while omitting any mention of Taiwan’s sovereignty. Despite the resolution, Taiwan disputes the validity of such claims, as Beijing maintains that Taiwan remains an inseparable part of its territory and thus subject to its legal jurisdiction.
This situation signals escalating tensions amid Taiwan's ongoing pursuits for global recognition and the complexities presented by China's global diplomatic strategy, particularly in regions where relationships with Taiwan are being fostered.
