By: Michele Maresca
Somaliland is an un-recognised State which possess the 4 Montevideo criteria for Statehood: a) a permanent population; (b) a defined territory; (c) a government; and (d) the capacity to enter into agreements with other States.
In essence, the Horn of Africa State possesses both the internal and external independence for Statehood, giving that it exercises its sovereign authority over a specific territory (internal independence) in accordance with the powers established in a Constitution which is not dependent on other States’ sources of law (external independence).
Since the existence of a State is not to be based on a legal recognition from the international community, but rather on the effective capacity to act as a sovereign entity according to the Montevideo criteria for Statehood, we could take into account several evidences of Somaliland’s sovereign status.
First of all, many States, including the UK, the US, Djibouti, Kenya and Ethiopia, recognise Somaliland’s passports, thus demonstrating their understanding of the situation on the ground. Even though they are yet to recognise Somaliland as a sovereign State, the very fact of accepting this reality stands as a proof of a non-monolithic policy towards Hargeisa.
Moreover, several States decided to establish a representative office in Somaliland, notably the following ones: United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden, France, Norway, Belgium, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, South Sudan and Taiwan. In this way, they set the stage for improving and strengthening bilateral yet unofficial ties with Somaliland.
Somaliland-Taiwan relations: an alliance based on common values and understanding
A brilliant example of a growing partnership based on common values, understandings and purposes is the one between Somaliland and Taiwan, two countries struggling for recognition in a very complex environment.
Like the African nation, Taiwan also perceives the threat of a neighbouring state, in this case a modern-day superpower, the People’s Republic of China. The stage for a closer relationship was set during Bihi’s administration, when the then-President of Somaliland refused China’s offer to advance unofficial relations at the expense of Taiwan.
This happened, in 2020, when Somaliland and Taiwan were set to open representative offices in the other’s territory. The PRC’s reaction, consisting on trying to torpedo the deal by offering economic aid and the opening of a Chinese Mission to Somaliland, was met with a firm stance by Muse Bihi.
The then-President of Somaliland refused to comply with the Chinese government’s expectations due to not being treated as an equal. It sparked contrasts with the Taiwanese counterpart’ attitude, marked istead by the willingness to engage with Somaliland on equal terms.
In the last 4 years, Somaliland and Taiwan strengthened their relationship through several high-level meetings and bilateral MoUs or agreements.
An area of common interest is given by fisheries, with the two countries having a meeting in 2023 with the aim of exploring the potential for support, knowledge sharing and initiatives designed to maximise the socio-economic benefits of marine resources while maintaining long-term viability.
Recently, Taiwan co-sponsored, covering the 70% of the total cost, the Taiwan Road construction project connecting the Egal International Airport to the capital Hargeisa.
Taipei also pledged $22 million for the construction of the “Taiwan Medical Center” inside the main Hargeisa Group Hospital.
As Mr. Ibrahim Dhamac (the Director of the Research and Market Analysis Department at the Ministry of Investment of Somaliland) told me, this is just “the beginning of a valuable relationship” that can expand into “other critical sectors, including education, technology and agriculture”.
Abdullahi Irro, the current Somaliland President, met with Taiwan Deputy Foreign Minister Francois Wu at the sidelines of his presidential inauguration in December. During the meeting, Irro underscored that “Taiwan is a key partner” to collaborate with in many fields, including telecom, education and publich health.
By pointing out that the ongoing “projects had helped raise the living standards of the people of Somaliland”, he gave us the key to understand how the relationship between the two countries may unfold.
Waddani Party, to which Irro does belong to, regards advanced water managements systems, cybersecurity, public health and renewable energy development as some of the most pressing issues to deal with in the next months and years.
Taiwan holds the capacity to strengthen its ties with Somaliland by providing it with the necessary expertise to allow it advancing its interests in many areas.
Amongst them is energy, with Taipei keen on engaging with the Somaliland’s energy industry. In this context, there is an important window of opportunity for closer relations in a sensitive topic for both parties.
Somaliland already signed a mineral resources agreement with Taiwan Energy and Mineral Resources Cooperation Agreement for the exploration and drilling of energy and mineral resources. In 2023, CPC and the United Kingdom-based Genel Energy PLC decided to establish a partnership to explore oil in Somaliland with the former taking a 49-percent working interest in the African country’s SL10B/13 oil exploration block.
The US’ strategy in the Horn of Africa amid the competition with China
Moustafa Ahmad, a researcher who is currently investigating China and Taiwan engagement in the Horn of Africa, stressed the potential role the US could play out within this scenario. He told me that although US interest in Somaliland is primarily security and strategic, nonetheless mineral resources could be explored.
The incoming Trump administration, which is expected to consider recognising Somaliland due to its strong democratic commitments and strategic location in the Gulf of Aden, could in fact place importance to the energy and mineral resources sector.
This is just one of the several areas where the parties can deepen their partnership, since both Somaliland and Taiwan use strategic interests, economic and democratic factors to leverage their relations with Washington, Ahmad said.
An important indication of that is Mohammed Hagi’s appointment as “Advisor to the President for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation”. Hagi, the first Ambassador of the Republic of Somaliland to Taiwan, played a significant role in advancing and strenghtening bilateral ties between the countries.
Taiwan quickly congratulated him while underscoring the country’s willingness to “continue working together to further solidify Taiwan-Somaliland mutually beneficial causes and cooperation”.
When it comes to the US, closer relations between Hargeisa and Taipei fit well into its strategy to compete with China. As Moustafa said, it wouldn’t be surprising to hear that promoting ties with Taiwan has been on the agenda of Irro’s first meeting with the United States Ambassador to Somalia.
According to Politico, Trump is set to appoint the former “US Special Envoy to the Sahel and Great Lakes regions”, Peter Pham, as the top “US State Department official overseeing African affairs”. He is a vocal supporter of Somaliland, having repeatedly advocated for its recognition as a stepping stone to enhanced stability in the Horn.
This expected appointment would further signal the United States’ willingness to look at Somaliland relations through the lens of mutual benefit. This can laid the foundations for a significant shift from the “One Somalia policy” to a proactive approach towards Somaliland.
Aware of the opportunities and challenges ahead, the United States, Taiwan and Somaliland should act with foresight by focusing on what is needed to counter authoritarian-derived threats through political, economic and security initiatives to carry out in the present and future times.
About the Author
Michael Maresca, Born in 1998, I obtained a Master’s Degree in Law at the Federico II University of Naples and a Master’s Degree in “Derecho Internacional y Relaciones Exteriores e Internacionales” at the Instituto Europeo Campus Stellae. The idea of telling, informing and investigating international political events is what drives me to dedicate myself with passion and enormous interest to these issues. In addition, I carry out analysis, in Spanish, for the Think Tank Geopol21.
X (formerly Twitter) @MicheleMaresca
