By Eng Muude, May 1, 2025
MOGADISHU, Somalia – Somalia has officially banned Taiwanese passport holders from entering or transiting through its territory, a move that Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) claims was orchestrated by China to curb Taipei’s growing international presence. The ban, effective April 30, 2025, was announced by Somalia’s Civil Aviation Authority on April 22, citing adherence to the “One China” policy and United Nations Resolution 2758. This development has sparked diplomatic tensions, with Taiwan condemning the restriction as an attack on its citizens’ travel rights and safety.
The Ban and Its Context
According to a notice issued to airlines, Somalia’s aviation authority declared that “passports and related travel documents issued by Taiwan or its affiliated institutions will be invalid for entry into, exit from, or transit through Somalia” as of April 30. The decision aligns with Beijing’s “One China” principle, which asserts that Taiwan is an inseparable part of the People’s Republic of China. Somalia’s move is seen as an effort to strengthen ties with China, a major economic and diplomatic partner in the Horn of Africa.
Taiwan’s MOFA swiftly condemned the ban, accusing Somalia of acting “under China’s instigation” and misinterpreting UN Resolution 2758, which recognized Beijing as the sole representative of China in the UN in 1971 but does not explicitly mention Taiwan’s status. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has lodged a solemn protest against the Somali government’s move, instigated by China, to restrict the freedom and security of travel of our nationals,” Taiwan’s MOFA said in a statement, demanding an immediate reversal of the policy.
China, meanwhile, praised Somalia’s decision. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun called the ban a “legitimate measure” that “reflects Somalia’s firm adherence to the one-China principle.” Beijing also pledged support for Mogadishu’s claim over Somaliland, a breakaway region that has deepened ties with Taiwan in recent years, further complicating the geopolitical dynamics.
Taiwan-Somaliland Ties Fuel Tensions
The ban comes amid Taiwan’s growing relationship with Somaliland, a self-declared independent state that broke away from Somalia in 1991 but remains unrecognized by most countries. In 2020, Taiwan and Somaliland established representative offices in each other’s capitals, a move that angered both Somalia and China. Somaliland, like Taiwan, operates as a de facto independent state with democratic elections, but it lacks formal international recognition.
Taiwan’s MOFA described Somaliland as a “like-minded partner that shares Taiwan’s values of democracy and freedom.” However, Somalia’s government views Taiwan’s engagement with Somaliland as a direct challenge to its sovereignty, particularly as Mogadishu struggles to assert control over the region amid ongoing conflict with the al-Shabab militant group. The ban on Taiwanese passport holders is widely interpreted as Somalia’s attempt to counter Taiwan’s diplomatic outreach while aligning with China’s geopolitical agenda.
Impact on Taiwanese Citizens
Taiwan’s MOFA has advised its citizens to avoid traveling to Somalia or Somaliland until the ban is lifted, citing safety concerns and diplomatic uncertainty. However, the practical impact of the restriction may be limited, as few Taiwanese nationals visit Somalia. According to Taiwan’s state news agency Focus Taiwan, only 16 trips were made by Taiwanese citizens to Somalia between 2016 and February 2025.
The ban has also reduced the number of countries offering visa-free access to Taiwanese passport holders, dropping from 171 in 2023 to 150, according to posts on X. This further isolates Taiwan, which is formally recognized by only a handful of nations due to China’s diplomatic pressure.
International Reactions and Broader Implications
Somalia has not officially commented on the ban, but sentiments on X reflect polarized views. Some users, such as
@AhmedAbdiIsse1, hailed the decision as a “slap” against Taiwan and Somaliland, framing Taiwan as an “enemy” for supporting Somaliland’s secessionist ambitions. Others, like
@idoornimo, criticized Somalia’s alignment with China as an attack on democracy, urging the U.S. to respond under the TAIPEI Act of 2020, which supports Taiwan’s international participation.
Taiwan is engaging with Somaliland and like-minded countries to reverse the ban, urging international organizations to condemn Somalia’s actions. The move underscores Beijing’s ongoing campaign to isolate Taiwan diplomatically, a strategy that has seen several African nations switch recognition from Taipei to Beijing in recent decades.
A Geopolitical Chess Game
Somalia’s ban on Taiwanese travelers highlights the complex interplay of sovereignty disputes, regional power dynamics, and global influence. For Somalia, aligning with China offers economic and political benefits, particularly as it seeks to assert control over Somaliland. For Taiwan, the ban is another hurdle in its quest for international legitimacy, especially as it strengthens ties with non-recognized states like Somaliland.
As tensions simmer, the international community watches closely. Will Somalia’s decision embolden other nations to follow suit under Chinese pressure, or will it galvanize support for Taiwan’s right to global participation? For now, the travel ban remains a stark reminder of the far-reaching impact of the “One China” policy on the world stage.
This article is published exclusively on AyroTV.com. For more international news and updates, stay tuned.
Sources:
- Reuters: “Taiwan says Somalia bans entry to its citizens amid Somaliland dispute”
- BBC: “Somalia bans Taiwanese travellers citing ‘one China’ policy, ministry says”
- Taiwan News: “Somalia bans Taiwan passport holders citing ‘one China’ principle”
- WardheerNews: “Somalia bans entry of Taiwan citizens in bid to please China: Taipei”
- Posts on X
