This article argues that Somalia’s ban on Taiwanese passport holders entering Somaliland is a meaningless political maneuver orchestrated by China to isolate both Taiwan and Somaliland. Here’s a breakdown:
The author believes China pressured Somalia into enacting the ban as part of China’s broader strategy to isolate Taiwan internationally and gain influence in the Horn of Africa.
The author emphasizes that Somaliland is effectively independent of Somalia, with its own government, military, and borders, making Somalia’s ban irrelevant in practice. It’s a symbolic act only.
The author criticizes Somalia’s government for focusing on isolating Somaliland instead of addressing serious internal issues like the Al-Shabaab insurgency.
The author urges the international community, particularly the United States, to recognize Somaliland’s independence as a way to counter China’s influence, support democracy and self-determination, and acknowledge the reality on the ground.
The article asserts that the ban is not about Somalia’s sovereignty but about submission to China’s geopolitical goals.
In short, the piece presents Somalia’s ban as a Chinese-driven political stunt that has no practical effect but highlights China’s efforts to isolate Taiwan and Somaliland. It concludes with a call for international recognition of Somaliland.
The full article is as follows:
Somalia’s Ban on Taiwanese Passport Holders Is a Political Stunt—Driven by China
By Fuad Abdi Ismail
The Somali government’s recent decision to ban Taiwanese passport holders from entering Somaliland is a politically motivated move orchestrated under Beijing. It’s the latest example of China’s efforts to expand its geopolitical influence in the Horn of Africa—often at the expense of regional stability and the principle of self-determination.
China has long sought to isolate both Taiwan and Somaliland on the international stage, using diplomatic pressure and economic incentives to force other governments to toe its line. In this case, the real target isn’t Taiwan but Somaliland—a self-declared republic that has steadily built diplomatic and economic ties with Taiwan since 2020.
But the move is ultimately symbolic. The Somali government hasn’t exercised control over Somaliland since the latter declared independence in 1991. Somaliland operates with de jure independence—it has its own government, military, and borders. A ban issued by Mogadishu carries no weight in Hargeisa. It’s a hollow gesture, a political stunt with no meaningful impact on the strong and growing relationship between Somaliland and Taiwan.
What’s more troubling is the Somali government’s misplaced priorities. At a time when Al-Shabaab continues to destabilize large parts of Somalia, the government in Mogadishu appears more focused on obstructing Somaliland’s international engagements than on addressing its own internal crises. This not only damages Somalia’s credibility but plays into the hands of external powers—namely China—who are eager to exploit weak and divided states in their global rivalry with democratic actors.
China’s strategy of isolating Somaliland and Taiwan through coercion and co-optation is well-documented. But it’s time for the international community—especially democratic allies like the United States—to push back. Official recognition of Somaliland would reflect the reality on the ground and send a strong message in defense of democracy, self-determination, and regional stability.
The world should not be misled. Somalia’s ban on Taiwanese travelers is not about sovereignty—it’s about submission to China’s geopolitical agenda. Somaliland and Taiwan’s partnership, grounded in shared values and mutual benefit, must be protected and strengthened.
It’s time to recognize Somaliland.
