Taiwan moves to build ties with unrecognised state of Somaliland
- Self-governing territories’ move to establish representative offices falls short of full recognition, but will help Taipei expand its diplomatic reach and counter pressure from Beijing
- Somaliland declared independence in 1991 during Somali civil war, but has not been granted official recognition by any country
Taiwan will establish informal diplomatic relations with the self-declared African state of Somaliland as it seeks to counter the growing diplomatic squeeze from Beijing.
“Our two governments have agreed to swap official representative offices under the titles of Taiwan representative office and Somaliland representative office based on our friendship and shared belief,” Taiwan’s foreign minister Joseph Wu told a press conference in Taipei on Wednesday.
Wu said he signed the agreement with his Somaliland counterpart Yasin Hagi Mohamoud in Taipei on February 26, of which the two sides agreed to cooperate in areas such as fishing, agriculture, energy, mining, health, education and information and communication technologies.
The offices will be headed by veteran diplomats who will be given a formal rank.
He said the establishment of representative office was part of the island’s efforts to promote ties with Africa and expand its presence in east Africa.