Sunday May 4, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia’s Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi said Saturday that the federal government’s recent decision to ban Taiwan-issued passports was triggered by a planned visit of senior Taiwanese officials to Somaliland, which he described as a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty.
Speaking at an event in Mogadishu, Fiqi, who served as foreign minister until last week’s cabinet reshuffle, said the intended delegation was led by Taiwan’s foreign minister and aimed to enter Somaliland without notifying or consulting Somalia’s federal authorities.
“Taiwan was planning to visit Somaliland without consulting the Somali government, which is clearly against the sovereignty and unity of the country,” said Fiqi. “Taiwan is an administration that openly supports the division of the Somali people.”
The Somali government formally banned Taiwanese passport holders from entering or transiting through Somalia on April 22, citing adherence to the “One China” policy under UN Resolution 2758. The Civil Aviation Authority instructed all airlines not to accept Taiwan-issued travel documents starting April 30.
Fiqi had previously accused Taiwan of “opening unapproved offices” in Somaliland, which he said constituted a breach of Somalia’s territorial integrity. Taiwan established formal diplomatic ties with Somaliland in 2020 and appointed a new envoy to Hargeisa earlier this year.
Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry denounced the move as politically motivated and said it was pressured by China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory. Taiwan also warned its nationals to avoid travel to Somalia and Somaliland until the restriction is lifted.
U.S. lawmakers have reacted strongly to Somalia’s decision. On Thursday, Representatives Tom Tiffany and Andy Ogles sent a letter to Somalia’s ambassador in Washington urging the government to reverse the ban. The letter warned of potential consequences, including the revocation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali nationals in the U.S., a suspension of visa services, and even a severance of diplomatic relations.
“If the Somali government insists on acting as little more than a branch office of the Chinese Communist Party, there is no reason for the United States to continue to pretend that it is independent, legitimate, or worthy of U.S. recognition,” the lawmakers wrote.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has remained relatively stable compared to the rest of the country, though it has not received international recognition. Somalia considers Somaliland part of its territory and has consistently opposed any foreign engagement with the region that bypasses Mogadishu.
The Somali government has intensified diplomatic efforts to assert its authority over all regions, particularly amid rising foreign interest in Somaliland, including from Taiwan and Ethiopia.