Thursday October 21, 2021
Somaliland's mission in Taiwan opened in September last year. AFP
Nairobi (HOL)- China is becoming increasingly more frustrated with Taiwan's presence in Somaliland.
China's growing disdain for Taiwan's activities in the Horn of Africa was revealed publicly last Friday when the Chinese Embassy in Somalia tweeted that Somalis would not welcome Taiwanese separatists.
"In the Horn of Africa, anyone attempting to take a small group of separatists from a Chinese island as the representative of China would only end up as a laughing-stock in the eyes of Somali people and the international community," the Embassy tweeted.
The tweet came as China marked its 50th anniversary since the UN began recognizing the People's Republic of China (PRC) as China's sole representative over the Republic of China (ROC)- or Taiwan. Somalia's ambassador to the UN at the time, Abdulrahim Abby Farah, challenged the credentials of the Republic of China as China's representation. The General Assembly Resolution expelled Taiwan and replaced it with the PRC at all UN organs.
Somalia officially recognized the PRC in Dec 1960.
Somaliland and Taiwan signed a treaty in Taipei in February 2020. Both countries agreed that they would collaborate in agriculture, education, energy, fisheries, health, information, communication and mining. The treaty was later followed by an agreement to exchange representative offices in each other's territory on July 1, 2020. The agreement stopped short of formal diplomatic recognition.
Taiwan enjoys diplomatic relations with 15 countries, with Eswatini being its only ally in the African continent. It also sees Somaliland as a way to gain a foothold in a strategic part of Africa.
"Somaliland is Taiwan's gateway to East Africa; from here, I represent Taiwan in 10 East African Countries, including Kenya and Ethiopia," said Allen Chenhwa Lou, Taiwan's representative in Somaliland.
The blossoming relationship between the two nations has angered their larger neighbours, who have consistently claimed their land as part of their territory.
Just last week, China accused Taiwan of bribing Somaliland politicians and their families to support Taiwan secessionism. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed the reports as a smear campaign.
China has increased its military activity around Taiwan, which has caused global concern as Washington has been caught off guard by the pace of China's military development.
The heat of the divide has been propelled by China's unabashed ambitions to reunify the island with Mainland China.
After Taiwan set up its Somaliland office in August 2020, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian blasted the new relationship and emphasized that there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China.
Chinese sailors watch a People’s LIberation Army Navy (PLAN) pull into Djibouti. Xinhua Photo
"China firmly opposes the establishment of official institutions or any form of official exchanges between Taiwan and Somaliland. The Democratic Progressive Party's frantic search of support for its separatist activities in the international arena will never succeed."
On July 4, 2020, Somalia President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo held a meeting with then Chinese Ambassador to Somalia Qin Jian in Villa Somalia. Farmajo affirmed Somalia's adherence to the 'One-China-Policy' and condemned Taiwan's incursion into Somalia's sovereign territory.
There are reports that China has actively tried to sabotage Taiwan-Somaliland ties. China's Ambassador to Somalia Qin Jian allegedly met with Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi in early August 2020 and reportedly offered Somaliland a development package on the condition they cut off talks with Taiwan. China allegedly sent a second delegation later that month to no avail.
Taiwan has struggled to gain influence abroad, and Beijing is unsteady that Taiwan is forging ties so close to its first and only overseas military base in Djibouti. A strong Somaliland-Taiwan alliance with access to the Port of Berbera could confront the Belt and Road infrastructure that China has been developing in nearby Kenya and Djibouti.
Somaliland also stands to benefit significantly through its relationship with Taiwan with hopes to recreate a 'Taiwan Miracle" through the increase of trade, finance and skill transfer.
While Taiwan and Somaliland have both effectively functioned as de-facto independent states for years, their budding relationship will be sure to provoke China and Somalia.