Somaliland Opens Representative Office in Taiwan

The Somaliland government has officially opened a diplomatic office today in Taiwan. The opening ceremony was attended by Somaliland’s representative to Taiwan and Taiwan’s foreign minister. Last Month, Taiwan also unveiled its representative office in Hargeisa.

The office will further deepen the diplomatic relationship between Somaliland and Taiwan. The opening ceremony was attended by Taiwan’s forgein Minister Joseph Wu and the Somaliland representative to Taiwan Mohamed Hagi.

Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said they look forward to ‘exploring common interests and mutual benefits in areas such as fishery, energy, agriculture and others’.

He also highlighted that though Somaliland and Taiwan face external pressure, they are proud of their sovereignty and are ready to defend it.

Mohamed Hagi, the Somaliland Representative to Taiwan exhibited strong support for his country to set up a diplomatic mission in Taiwan. He said that Somaliland is an independent state establishing ties with Taiwan based on the common values of freedom and democracy.

On 1st July this year, Somaliland and Taiwan reached a bilateral agreement and went on to announce a new diplomatic relationship between both countries. These two non-members of the United Nations have witnessed strong criticism and warnings from China and Somalia.

Somalia confirmed that it respects a one China Principle and denounced the new diplomatic relationship between Somaliland and Taiwan. China also warned Taiwan to stop ‘Violation’ against Somalia’s sovereignty and integrity.

However, regardless of external pressure, these two countries have gone on to form diplomatic alliance based on the principle of freedom and democracy.