Taiwan has denounced Somalia for prohibiting entry or transit for travelers holding Taiwanese passports into the East African nation.
The prohibition was implemented on Wednesday, following an order from Somali aviation authorities issued the previous week, according to Taiwan’s foreign ministry.
Somalia has not yet responded to the ban, which coincides with Taiwan’s efforts to strengthen relations with Somaliland, a region that declared independence from Somalia 34 years ago but is largely unrecognized globally.
In 2020, Somaliland and Taiwan established embassies in each other’s capitals, provoking discontent from both China and Somalia.
The Somali civil aviation authority notified airlines that Taiwanese passports would no longer be accepted for entry or transit into the Federal Republic of Somalia starting April 30, as stated by Taiwan’s foreign ministry in a release late Tuesday.
The foreign ministry has vehemently protested Somalia’s actions, which it claims are influenced by China, aimed at limiting the travel freedom and safety of Taiwanese citizens, and has called for the Somali government to promptly rescind the notice.
The ministry criticized Somalia for its ‘misinterpretation’ of UN Resolution 2758 in relation to the ‘one China’ principle.
It advised Taiwanese citizens to avoid travel to Somalia or Somaliland for their safety until the ban is lifted, as reported by Taiwanese media. Neither Somaliland nor Somalia has issued a statement on the matter.
China expressed its strong approval of the ban, describing it as a ‘legitimate measure’ that demonstrates Somalia’s commitment to the one-China principle, according to Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun during a press briefing on Wednesday, as reported by AFP.
Taiwan operates under its own constitution and conducts regular multiparty elections to select its leaders.
China maintains that Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened military action if necessary to assert control over the island.
Due to China’s diplomatic efforts, Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China, is recognized by only a few countries.
Somaliland, which has not received recognition from any other sovereign state, declared independence from Somalia in 1991 after the fall of the dictatorship led by General Mohamed Siad Barre.
Somaliland also conducts regular elections, while significant areas of Somalia are under the influence of the al-Shabab militant group, which has ties to al-Qaeda. Somalia regards Somaliland as part of its territory and has criticized Ethiopia for negotiating a deal with Somaliland authorities to lease one of its ports.
