Taiwan Today
Friday January 5, 2024
Chen Chi-chia (fourth right), acting deputy director-general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department of West Asian and African Affairs, greets a delegation led by Musa Hassan Yousuf (center), chair of Somaliland’s National Electoral Commission, Jan. 3 at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. (MOFA)
The arrival of a delegation from Somaliland Jan. 3 is sincerely welcomed by the government and people of Taiwan, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Led by Musa Hassan Yousuf, chair of the National Electoral Commission, the group comprises NEC deputy Ahmed Osman Hassen and other commissioners.
During their six-day stay, members of the delegation will meet with Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu, attend a banquet hosted by Vice Foreign Minister Remus Li-Kuo Chen and visit the Ministries of the Interior and Justice, the MOFA said. They will also call on the Central Election Commission, political parties’ international affairs departments and civic groups to gain a deeper understanding of Taiwan’s electoral system, operations, and citizens’ political participation.
Taiwan and Somaliland share values of freedom, democracy and the rule of law, the MOFA said. Since the two sides established mutual representative offices in 2020, the bilateral relationship has continued to grow, the ministry said.
The group visited at a time when Taiwan is set to hold the presidential and legislative elections, giving an opportunity for delegation members to experience the country’s fair, open and transparent democratic practices, the MOFA said. The government will continue to work with like-minded partner Somaliland to deepen mutual beneficial partnerships, the ministry added.
On its official X account, the MOFA said, “A warm welcome to #Somaliland @SLNECHQ Chair Musa Hassan Yousuf & his delegation aiming to gain insight into our administrative coordination & electoral process. We look forward to exchanging democratic ideas & practices with friends who regard #Taiwan as a beacon of democracy.” (YCH-E)