Taiwan Denounces Somalia's Travel Restrictions for Taiwanese Passport Holders

Taiwan's government has expressed strong condemnation of Somalia's recent ban on entry for Taiwanese passport holders, highlighting ongoing geopolitical tensions influenced by China's claims over the self-governing island.

Taiwan has issued a firm rebuke to Somalia after the East African country imposed a travel ban on those holding Taiwanese passports, effective from Wednesday. This move, announced by Somalia's civil aviation authority, restricts Taiwanese nationals from entering or transiting the country, which has drawn sharp criticism from Taiwan's Foreign Ministry. They accuse Somalia of succumbing to Chinese pressure in an effort to limit the travel rights and safety of Taiwanese people. The ministry has requested the immediate repeal of the travel ban while simultaneously advising citizens against traveling to Somalia or Somaliland.

The backdrop of this scenario lies in Taiwan's strengthening ties with Somaliland, which has sought international recognition since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991. In a significant diplomatic gesture, both territories established embassies in one another's capitals in 2020, a step that angered not only Somalia but also China, which considers Taiwan part of its territory. Following the backlash, China praised Somalia's latest travel restrictions as a legitimate assertion of the one-China principle.

As relations between Taiwan and China remain fraught—with China asserting claims over the democratic island—the situation has intensified, especially given Taiwan's limited diplomatic allies. As Taiwan continues to bolster its presence in regions such as Africa, questions linger about the broader implications for international relations and the dynamics between Taiwan, Somalia, and Somaliland.