Taiwan has issued a strong rebuke after Somalia imposed a ban on entry or transit for travelers holding Taiwanese passports.
The restriction took effect Wednesday, following a directive last week from Somali aviation authorities, according to Taiwan’s foreign ministry.
Somali officials have yet to provide a public response to the move, which comes amid growing engagement between Taiwan—an island with its own governance but claimed by China—and Somaliland, a region that seceded from Somalia more than three decades ago but lacks broad international recognition.
In 2020, reciprocal embassies were opened by Somaliland and Taiwan, drawing criticism from both China and Somalia.
Somalia’s Civil Aviation Authority notified airlines that as of April 30, Taiwanese passports “will no longer be accepted for entry into or transit through the Federal Republic of Somalia,” Taiwan’s foreign ministry confirmed late Tuesday.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has lodged a firm protest against Somalia’s decision—which it attributes to Chinese influence—describing it as a restriction on the freedom and safety of Taiwanese citizens, and has called for its immediate reversal,” the ministry stated.
Taiwanese officials have also advised citizens to avoid traveling to Somalia or Somaliland until the ban is lifted, according to local media reports.
Officials from both Somaliland and Somalia have not commented publicly on the matter.
The Chinese government expressed support for the ban, with foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun telling journalists Wednesday that it is a “legitimate measure” reflecting Somalia’s commitment to the one-China principle, as reported by AFP.
Taiwan conducts its own multiparty elections and operates under a separate constitution.
China continues to assert that Taiwan is part of its territory and maintains the possibility of using force to achieve unification.
With sustained Chinese diplomatic pressure, Taiwan—formally the Republic of China—is officially recognized by only a few nations.
Somaliland, which declared independence in 1991 following the fall of Somalia’s dictatorial administration led by General Mohamed Siad Barre, has not received formal recognition from any other country.
Somaliland holds regular elections, while significant portions of Somalia are controlled by the al-Shabab group, which is affiliated with al-Qaeda.
The Somali government regards Somaliland as part of its territory and has criticized Ethiopia for making a port access agreement with Somaliland authorities.
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