Citing adherence to the "One China" principle, the East African nation of Somalia has banned entry and transit through Taiwan from 30th. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Somalia (translated as "Somalia" in Taiwan) as being instigated by China and lodged a solemn protest, demanding that the Somali government immediately rescind this announcement.
Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a press release on the 29th stating that the Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) announced on the 22nd that the Somali government, in accordance with UN General Assembly Resolution 2758, adheres to the "One China" principle and notifies all airline operators and stakeholders that from April 30 this year, all passports and related travel documents issued by Taiwan or its affiliated institutions may no longer be used to enter, exit and transit the Somali Federation.
Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Hsiao Guang-wei responded to Radio Free Asia on the 30th, emphasizing, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs lodged a solemn protest against Somalia's actions, instigated by China, to restrict the travel freedom and safety of the people of the Republic of China, and demanded that the Somali government immediately rescind the announcement. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also vehemently refutes and strongly condemns the Somali government's misinterpretation of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 and its linking to the so-called 'One China Principle' in an attempt to create the illusion that Taiwan is subordinate to the People's Republic of China."
Xiao Guangwei stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Republic of China's Representative Office in Somaliland are currently working with the Somaliland government to urge like-minded countries and international organizations to take concrete actions to reverse this wrongful practice. The Somali government's brutal actions of controlling its airspace and preventing people from interacting with each other in democratic countries have had a negative impact on the situation in the Horn of Africa.
Scholars: Trump's return to office puts pressure on Somalia, raising concerns about strategic cooperation between Taiwan, the US and Somaliland
In 2020, during President Tsai Ing-wen's first term and when Pompeo was Secretary of State, Taiwan and Somaliland established offices in each other's country, which was protested by Somalia.
Lin Tinghui said that Somaliland's independence from Somalia is not recognized by the rest of the world, only Taiwan. Somalia's actions at this time may be due to Trump's return to the presidency. China must be wary of the possibility that the United States may secretly assist Taiwan in cooperating on infrastructure such as ports in Somaliland. After all, it faces the Arabian Peninsula and the Red Sea, a strategic stronghold, and is worried about further strengthening relations between Taiwan, the United States, and Somaliland.
Lin Tinghui pointed out that even if China pressures Somalia to block Taiwanese from entering Somaliland, other methods exist, such as first traveling to Kenya or other African countries and then crossing the border by land. Djibouti is home to the People's Liberation Army, and US warships are active there, poised to attack Houthi strongholds. Taiwan's Evergreen Marine and other shipping lines pass through there, adjacent to the Zurich Canal.
Lin Tinghui believes this won't trigger a domino effect where other countries ban Taiwanese passport holders. "Somalia is notorious for being a pirate nation, and Taiwanese fishermen and fishing boats often encounter pirates there. Originally, both sides were committed to jointly combating piracy. Now, if Somalia succumbs to China for political reasons, the Somali ban will primarily affect Taiwan's trade, cargo, and raw material transportation with Somaliland. We'll have to consider other options and see if the United States will assist."
Scholars estimate there will be no domino effect, while ruling party legislators call for precautions.
Yan Zhensheng, a researcher at the Center for International Relations Research at National Chengchi University in Taiwan, pointed out in an interview with Radio Free Asia that in the past, countries such as Georgia and Moldova did not accept Taiwanese visas or recognize Taiwanese passports, and were unfriendly to Taiwan.
Yan Zhensheng analyzed, "The problem with Somaliland is that Taiwan's establishment of a representative office today undermines the 'One Somaliland Principle' advocated by Somalia. Therefore, Somalia adheres to the 'One China Principle' and refuses to accept Taiwanese passports. Somalia has no substantive relationship with Taiwan, and in the past, dealings with Taiwan were mostly due to Taiwanese ships being intercepted by pirates. This shouldn't cause a domino effect. After all, there aren't so-called 'cross-recognition' issues elsewhere, and I don't believe this applies to Taiwan's representative offices in Europe or Asia."
Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party legislator Wu Si-yao said in an interview with Radio Free Asia that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken action to counter and condemn the situation, and called on Somalia to stop suppressing Taiwan. The Democratic Progressive Party caucus supports the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in defending the rights and interests of the Republic of China and lodged the most solemn protest to Somalia.
Wu Siyao said that China is becoming increasingly isolated internationally, while Taiwan stands with its democratic allies, and the voices supporting Taiwan's democracy are growing stronger. China, out of anxiety, is pressuring other countries to succumb to its pressure. She believes that similar suppressive actions will not stop and will definitely be replicated in other countries. She supports the diplomatic department in taking necessary countermeasures.
Chen Guanting, a member of the Democratic Progressive Party's National Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee, pointed out in an interview with Radio Free Asia that Somalia and Somaliland are in conflict with each other, so they moved to Taiwan. He cannot understand why it would hurt Taiwan so much, and he will do his best to supervise the government to ensure that Taiwan's interests are not affected.
