Wednesday December 2, 2020
Hargeisa (HOL) - The government of Taiwan launched a technical mission to the self-declared Republic of Somaliland on Tuesday focused on bilateral cooperation in healthcare, technology and agriculture, according to Taiwan's top representative office in Somaliland.
Allen Lou opened the ceremony with Liban Yusuf Osman, Somaliland's acting minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and was joined by delegations from their respective governments.
The two signed an agreement to enhance maternal and infant health and improving perinatal safety. Taiwan has undertaken similar initiatives in Eswatini - the nation formerly and still commonly known in English as Swaziland and Taiwan's only other diplomatic ally in Africa.
Somaliland and Taiwan also planned to sign information and communication technology (ICT) and agricultural agreements later this year.
Relations between Somaliland and Taiwan have warmed considerably since they decided to reach an agreement to establish representative offices in each other's regions. Taipei opened its office in Somaliland on Aug. 17, while Somaliland opened its office in Taipei on Sept. 9.
Taiwan sent a development team to Hargeisa in early November ahead of the signing ceremony.
