Wednesday November 27, 2024
AFP
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed congratulations to Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, the new president-elect of Somaliland, for his victory over incumbent president Muse Bihi Abdi as leader of the main opposition party. Abdullahi, commonly known as “Irro” by the people, promised that the relationship with Taiwan “will not change in any way,” the Ministry added.
Somaliland is a breakaway region that declared independence from Somalia in 1991. Though it has been independent for over 30 years, it has not been internationally recognized by any country, despite its self-declaration and full autonomy of government.
While Taiwan and Somaliland do not have formal diplomatic relations, since 2020, both sides have established representative offices functioning like embassies and have exchanged representatives.
Wang Wen-lin, Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Asia and Africa Department, stated Tuesday that the Ministry congratulated Somaliland on successfully holding another presidential election. Taiwan's Representative Office in Somaliland also extended congratulations to the president-elect, Abdullahi, on behalf of the Taiwanese government, expressing hope for future cooperation with the new leadership from the opposition.
Analysts suggest that, after assuming office, Abdullahi is expected to continue seeking international recognition for Somaliland, possibly focusing on the incoming U.S. administration under Trump.
Since Somaliland lacks international recognition, making it difficult to attract foreign investment and aid, China may again attempt to attract Somaliland through economic and financial incentives in exchange for accepting the “One China” policy—a policy rejected by the former president’s administration.
Wang noted that Abdullahi has taken a more moderate stance toward Somalia, expressing hope that Somaliland can gain international recognition.
Wang also noted that Taiwan-Somaliland bilateral cooperation currently focuses on public health, information and communication technology, agriculture, education, and resource development. Among the plans, two significant projects are underway: Taiwan's assistance in the construction of Taiwan Road to connect to the airport, and the establishment of a Taiwan Medical Center in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland. Both projects have completed preliminary preparations and will be implemented as soon as the new government takes office.
The Taiwan Road project is a collaboration between Taiwan and Somaliland, with Taiwan's government signing an implementation agreement in September this year. Taiwan will sponsor about 70% of the first-phase construction costs, totaling 1.85 million USD, to help expand the national gateway road to Somaliland's airport.
The Hargeisa City Council has officially approved the proposal to name the road "Taiwan Road." Additionally, in October, Taiwan's Representative Office in Somaliland held a signing ceremony to announce a 22-million-dollar grant to assist Somaliland in establishing a medical center.
Abdullahi, who previously served as Somalia's ambassador to the Soviet Union, moved to Finland after the Somali Civil War in 1991. In 2002, he returned to Somaliland to establish a political party. Abdullahi served as the Speaker of Somaliland's House of Representatives from 2005 to 2017. He ran for president in 2017 but lost, and in 2024, he won with 64% of the vote.
Wang reiterated that although there is a change in party leadership, Somaliland’s stance toward Taiwan largely remains unchanged. He said that during the election campaign, Abdullahi emphasized that, if elected, the relationship with Taiwan “would not change in any way.”