Taiwan and Somaliland establish strategic partnership

[Suldaanka]

Taiwanese President welcomes Somaliland's Foreign Minister to Taipei. 

 

[Suldaanka]

For Mandarin speakers.

 

[Suldaanka]

 

[Suldaanka]

 

[Suldaanka]

Dalka Taiwan waa dalka 20aad ee aduunka ugu dhaqaalaha badan.

[thoroughbred]

"In May 1991, after the Somalian civil war, the northern Isaac clan declared its independence and established the Republic of Somaliland, according to Liberty Times".

[Suldaanka]

 

[Suldaanka]

 

[Suldaanka]

Somaliland and Taiwan sign bilateral business/development agreement. Key sectors that will benefit include natural resources, agriculture, livestock, energy and education/training. 

 

[Suldaanka]

Quote

"The Horn of Africa, where Somaliland is located, is one of the most strategically contested parts of the world. The region serves as a political and cultural bridge between Africa and the Middle East and borders the Red Sea — a gateway to the Suez Canal and a vital corridor for maritime trade."

Financial Times: Taiwan and Somaliland risk China’s ire with bilateral ties

Subscribe to read | Financial Times

WWW.FT.COM

---

News, analysis and comment from the Financial Times, the worldʼs leading global business publication

Taiwan has agreed to set up a diplomatic office in the unrecognised, but strategically important, African state of Somaliland in a possible move towards full diplomatic relations that is likely to enrage China, which has invested heavily in building deep bilateral relationships in Africa.

“This is the first step of diplomatic relations between the two countries and we will move from there,” said Liban Yusuf Osman, Somaliland’s deputy foreign minister. Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, would soon send a representative to open an office in Taipei, he said.

While Somaliland has diplomatic representation in more than a dozen countries around the world, including the UK, US and Ethiopia, no country currently recognises it as an independent state.

Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan’s president, said the two states were building bilateral ties “based on shared values”.

“We look forward to opening representative offices in both countries to expand mutually beneficial co-operation,” she said in a statement on Twitter.

Taiwan is a de facto independent state but is claimed by China as part of its territory.

Please use the sharing tools found via the share button at the top or side of articles. Copying articles to share with others is a breach of FT.com T&Cs and Copyright Policy. Email licensing@ft.com to buy additional rights. Subscribers may share up to 10 or 20 articles per month using the gift article service. More information can be found here.

Subscribe to read | Financial Times

WWW.FT.COM

---

News, analysis and comment from the Financial Times, the worldʼs leading global business publication

The US, China, Japan, France and Italy all have military bases in neighbouring Djibouti, while Middle Eastern states including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Turkey have established competing port infrastructure along Africa’s Red Sea coast in Djibouti, Somaliland, Somalia, Eritrea and Sudan.

For Taiwan, diplomatic co-operation with Somaliland is part of a pushback against ever stronger Chinese influence around the world, which has constrained its room for manoeuvre.

It comes as praise from fellow democracies for Taiwan’s successful containment of coronavirus has failed to translate into tangible diplomatic results. When the EU reopened its borders to tourists from some countries this week, Taiwan was absent from the list, although the country counts as one of the safest in the world in terms of coronavirus risk.

Joseph Wu, Taiwanese foreign minister, described the co-operation with Somaliland as a continuation of Taiwan’s efforts to work with countries with shared values. “They are a democracy, they have had three successful presidential elections and they have transfers of power,” he said.

Mr Wu stressed that Taipei and Hargeisa treated each other as sovereign countries, adding that Somaliland’s rich mineral resources could be of interest to Taiwan.

 
Mr Osman said the two states would co-operate in several areas, including security, agriculture, education, fisheries, technology and governance.

“Somaliland is in a very strategic location along the Red Sea and there is always a threat of terror and violence,” said the deputy foreign minister. “Taiwan is a very developed country with very developed maritime forces and we are looking forward to co-operating in that sector.”

Only 15 countries recognise Taiwan after several of its allies switched their recognition to Beijing under strong diplomatic pressure from China. In Africa, only the Kingdom of Eswatini, formerly Swaziland, recognises Taiwan after Burkina Faso re-established relations with Beijing in 2018.

“There are very strong geopolitical considerations at play,” said Murithi Mutiga, an analyst at Crisis Group, of the closer ties between Somaliland and Taiwan. “This just emphasises that Great Power competition is playing out in the Horn of Africa.”

Mr Osman said Somaliland understood “the political issue” between China and Taiwan but was not afraid of Beijing’s reaction. “We are dealing with Taiwan as a country but we are willing to deal with China. There is no obstacle,” he said. “If China is willing to open their office, we will welcome them.”

[Suldaanka]

Taiwan announces mutual establishment of Representative Offices with Republic of Somaliland - Press Releases - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan) 中華民國外交部 - 全球資訊網英文網

WWW.MOFA.GOV.TW

---

July1,2020 No.145   ...

Taiwan announces mutual establishment of Representative Offices with Republic of Somaliland

July 1, 2020

No.145

 

On behalf of the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaushieh Joseph Wu announced in a press conference on July 1 that agreement has been reached with the Republic of Somaliland on the mutual establishment of Representative Offices based on bilateral friendship and a shared commitment to common values of freedom, democracy, justice and the rule of law. The offices will be named the Taiwan Representative Office and Somaliland Representative Office, respectively. In the spirit of mutual assistance for mutual benefit, Taiwan and Somaliland will engage in cooperation in areas such as fisheries, agriculture, energy, mining, public health, education and ICT.
 
At the press conference, Minister Wu stated that the government of Taiwan, seeking to promote cooperative relations with African nations and expand its engagement with East Africa, had conducted consultations with the government of Somaliland, which resulted in the Bilateral Protocol by and between the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Government of the Republic of Somaliland. Signed on February 26, 2020, in Taipei by Minister Wu and Somaliland Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Yasin Hagi Mohamoud, the Bilateral Protocol expressed agreement on the mutual establishment of official Representative Offices. Following the signing, Minister Mohamoud also had an audience with President Tsai Ing-wen.
 
Minister Wu further noted that Taiwanese personnel arrived in Somaliland on February 6 this year and that preparations for the opening of the Taiwan Representative Office are ongoing. An official date for the opening ceremony will be decided based on consultations with the Somaliland government. Once the two Representative Offices officially commence operations, Taiwan and Somaliland will work together in areas such as fisheries, agriculture, energy, mining, public health, education and ICT. Minister Wu expressed confidence that, with the support of the two governments, the mutually beneficial and friendly ties between Taiwan and Somaliland will be further deepened.
 
Taiwan has gradually cultivated cordial interactions with Somaliland since 2009, added Minister Wu. The two sides have collaborated on enhancing maritime security, healthcare and education. Through the Healthcare Personnel Training Program of the International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF), Taiwan previously provided training to 23 medical professionals from Somaliland. Currently, three young students from Somaliland are pursuing academic degrees in Taiwan under the Taiwan Scholarship program. In addition to government endeavors, Taiwan nongovernmental organizations have also been active in Somaliland. In January this year, Taiwan Root Medical Peace Corps sent a delegation to Somaliland for the third time to conduct free clinics in 10 regions, serving a total of 2,880 patients.
 
Minister Wu stated that the Somaliland government fully recognizes the Taiwan Model of international cooperation and seeks to learn from Taiwan’s experience while continuing to deepen collaboration with Taiwan. The government of Taiwan supports the Somaliland government in its efforts to advance democracy and freedom. Taiwan is more than willing to implement development projects focused on capacity building through the TaiwanICDF in order to benefit the Somaliland people. Based on steadfast diplomacy, Taiwan is committed to showcasing its spirit of international fraternity.
 
Somaliland is situated in the Horn of Africa, with a population of 3.9 million. The country possesses rich fisheries resources and nearby waters serve as important international fishing grounds.(E)

[maakhiri1]

The most stupid dicision and amateurish ever, what are they thinking!! many countries who had recognised Taiwan before , have changed  their mind, and withdrew it, to please China cuz they know it  is never going to happen,  as China has veto power,  and know any day now, China will annex Taiwan,  so will not ruin relationships with China. PLUS China has a big influence in Africa and AU.

It is bad idea.

[Tillamook]

54 minutes ago, maakhiri1 said:

The most stupid dicision and amateurish ever, what are they thinking!! many countries who had recognised Taiwan before , have changed  their mind, and withdrew it, to please China cuz they know it  is never going to happen,  as China has veto power,  and know any day now, China will annex Taiwan,  so will not ruin relationships with China. PLUS China has a big influence in Africa and AU.

It is bad idea.

Surely, this isn’t the first dumb thing our hapless, helpless and hopeless h@bros have ever stooped to.... I bet if you looked up the word “Dumb” on the dictionary you will see a smiling photo of a deranged Iid00r miscreant.

[Suldaanka]

^Just watch and learn son.

25 minutes ago, maakhiri1 said:

The most stupid dicision and amateurish ever, what are they thinking!! many countries who had recognised Taiwan before , have changed  their mind, and withdrew it, to please China cuz they know it  is never going to happen,  as China has veto power,  and know any day now, China will annex Taiwan,  so will not ruin relationships with China. PLUS China has a big influence in Africa and AU.

It is bad idea.

Actually this is very smart move.

Taiwan is a progressive country with a very robust and competitive economy. It is one of those countries that any other developing country would aspire to be or emulate.

 

The sooner the rest of Africa sees this and awakes to the  

[Tillamook]

2 hours ago, Suldaanka said:

^Just watch and learn son.

Actually this is very smart move.

Taiwan is a progressive country with a very robust and competitive economy. It is one of those countries that any other developing country would aspire to be or emulate.

 

The sooner the rest of Africa sees this and awakes to the  

Always knew you were not the sharpest tool in the shed.

You have the audacity and gall to come in here and try to spin this unfortunate blunder by Muuse Handaraab.
 

Newsflash: China is a veto wielding security council member. Kiss your hopeless Ictiraaf aspirations goodbye.