Somaliland has stated that it has the sovereign right to choose its international relationships as it inaugurated a new representative office in Taiwan, despite ongoing pressure from Beijing and Mogadishu. Officials emphasized that diplomatic engagement with Taiwan will continue regardless of external objections or political disputes in the region.
At the opening ceremony in Taipei, Somaliland’s top envoy Mahmoud Adam Jama Galaal described Taiwan as an important ally and confirmed that bilateral relations remain strong. He said Somaliland’s political parties are united in maintaining ties with Taiwan, rejecting external pressure aimed at ending their cooperation.
Furthermore, Galaal said that attempts by China and Somalia to influence Somaliland’s foreign policy have not succeeded. He stressed that the territory has not engaged in recent communication with Beijing, reinforcing its position that diplomatic choices are made independently based on national interest.
Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, has operated with de facto autonomy while remaining internationally unrecognized by most countries. However, its relationship with Taiwan, which is also diplomatically isolated by China, has expanded since both sides established representative offices in each other’s capitals in 2020.
Meanwhile, Somalia continues to reject Somaliland’s diplomatic activities, insisting that it remains part of its sovereign territory. Somali officials have condemned foreign engagement with Somaliland, calling it an attempt to bypass the authority of the federal government in Mogadishu and undermine national sovereignty.
Despite the tensions, Taiwan and Somaliland have continued to deepen cooperation in various sectors, including governance and development initiatives. Taiwanese officials have described both territories as partners committed to democracy and rule of law, while reiterating their right to maintain international relations free from external restrictions.