Wednesday April 30, 2025
Current Taiwan passport design laid on top of old Taiwan passport. (CNA photo)
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali federal government has announced a ban on the entry, transit, and exit of Taiwan passport holders, citing its commitment to the "one China" policy as defined under United Nations Resolution 2758.
The decision, issued in an April 22 notice by the Somali Civil Aviation Authority, declares that all passports and travel documents issued by the "Taiwan authorities or related institutions" will be considered invalid for travel to or through Somalia starting April 30.
The move aligns Somalia with countries that formally recognize the People's Republic of China as the sole representative of China, in accordance with UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 passed in 1971.
That resolution affirmed the PRC's seat in the UN and removed the representation of Taiwan, which Beijing considers a breakaway province.In response, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Tuesday condemned the Somali government's decision, accusing Mogadishu of bowing to pressure from Beijing.
"Somalia is acting under China's instigation," MOFA said in a statement, calling the policy "a distorted interpretation" of the UN resolution. The ministry criticized the decision as an attempt to "create the false impression that Taiwan is subordinate to China."
Taiwan also accused Somalia of overstepping by asserting control over Somaliland's airspace. While Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and maintains its own government, Somalia continues to regard it as an integral part of its territory and claims sovereignty over its airspace.
MOFA further warned Taiwanese citizens against travel to both Somalia and Somaliland, citing safety concerns and the unresolved diplomatic tensions.
Taiwan has maintained a representative office in Hargeisa since 2020, a move that sparked sharp protests from the Somali federal government, which rejected the opening of diplomatic missions in Somaliland. Taiwan, in turn, views Somaliland as a democratic partner, citing the region's relatively stable political environment and history of multi-party elections.
"Taiwan and Somaliland share values of democracy and freedom," MOFA said.
Somalia has not publicly responded to Taiwan's statement. China has yet to issue its own reaction to the Somali ban, which comes as Beijing steps up efforts to isolate Taiwan diplomatically around the globe.