By Goth Mohamed Goth
The Somali government has officially banned entry into Somalia for individuals holding Taiwanese passports, as reported by Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This decision was attributed to Somalia’s alignment with a previously adopted United Nations resolution, although Taiwan accused Somalia of succumbing to pressure from the Chinese government.
The move comes at a time when Taiwan is strengthening its relations with Somaliland, which has reasserted it’s independence since 1991 but has not gained international recognition.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Somalia’s Civil Aviation Authority issued a notice on April 29, clarifying that starting from April 30, Taiwanese passports would no longer be accepted for entry into Somalia.
“The Ministry formally protests this decision by Somalia, which was instigated by the Chinese government, posing a threat to the freedom and security of our citizens. We demand an immediate reversal of this decision,” Taiwan said in a statement.
The Somali government has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the ban on Taiwanese passports.
Taiwan claimed that the notice was sent to Somali airlines to comply with UN Resolution 2758, which in 1971 granted Beijing the right to exclude Taiwan from UN membership, adhering to the “One China” principle.
Taiwan and the United States argue that this resolution does not determine Taiwan’s future, while China insists it fully supports its claim of sovereignty over the island, which is democratically self-governed.
