Taiwan Condemns Somalia’s Ban on Its Citizens, Blames China’s Interference

Somalia has barred the entry and transit of Taiwanese passport holders, a move Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs blames on pressure from China. Citing UN Resolution 2758 and the “One China” principle, Somalia claims Taiwan is part of China—an interpretation Taiwan firmly rejects. The decision follows deepening ties between Taiwan and Somaliland, a self-governed region that declared independence from Somalia in 1991—which Somalia insists is part of its territory. Both Taiwan and Somaliland opened de facto embassies in each other’s capitals in 2020, sparking anger in Mogadishu. Meanwhile, Beijing has applauded Mogadishu’s decision to ban Taiwanese citizens, calling it a legitimate step to protect Somalia’s interests. Nevertheless, the ban is expected to have little practical impact as only 16 Taiwanese visits to Somalia have been recorded since 2016.

Aljazeera