Taiwan Rebukes Somalia Over Travel Ban on Taiwanese Passports

Taiwan has expressed strong condemnation of Somalia's new travel restrictions against its passport holders, attributing the move to Chinese influence as it strengthens relationships with Somaliland.

Taiwan's Foreign Ministry criticized Somalia on Wednesday for implementing a ban on Taiwanese passport holders, claiming it stemmed from Chinese pressure as Taipei enhances its diplomatic ties with Somaliland—an autonomous region that declared independence from Somalia in 1991. Marrying five million residents, Somaliland has long sought international recognition but struggles to establish trade and security agreements due to its lack of widespread official status.

The tensions escalated as Somaliland recently cultivated closer relations with Taiwan, further angering Somalia and China, particularly since the region has shown reluctance to adopt Beijing's expanding influence in Africa. Reports suggest Somaliland is now seeking diplomatic recognition from the Trump administration, building connections with Republican lawmakers and conservative think tanks.

The prohibition on travel for Taiwanese passport holders arrived just days after Taiwan's foreign minister visited Eswatini, the last African country maintaining official relations with Taipei. Taiwan's Foreign Ministry indicated that Somali Civil Aviation Authority had formally notified airlines that, effective Wednesday, holders of Taiwanese passports would be barred from entering, exiting, or transiting through Somalia.

Somali authorities justified their decision by referencing United Nations Resolution 2758, which, passed in 1971, recognizes the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate representative of China in the UN. However, the resolution does not explicitly define Taiwan's sovereignty status. Beijing has long maintained its claim over Taiwan, asserting that the UN resolution affirms its legal jurisdiction over the island.