Somalia bans Taiwan passports as Taipei condemns move

Taiwan has condemned Somalia’s decision to ban entry and transit for holders of Taiwanese passports, calling it politically motivated and a threat to the rights of its citizens.

The ban took effect on Wednesday following a directive issued last week by Somalia’s Civil Aviation Authority, according to Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Somalia has not officially commented on the move, which comes amid growing ties between Taiwan and Somaliland. The self-declared republic broke away from Somalia in 1991 but remains unrecognised internationally.

In 2020, Taiwan and Somaliland opened representative offices in each other’s capitals, drawing criticism from both Beijing and Mogadishu.

Taiwan’s foreign ministry said airlines had been formally notified that Taiwan-issued passports would no longer be accepted for entry into or transit through Somalia as of 30 April.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly protested Somalia’s action made under the instigation of China to restrict the travel freedom and safety of Taiwanese nationals and has demanded that the Somali government immediately revoke the notice,” the statement said.

Taipei also rejected what it called a “misinterpretation” of UN Resolution 2758, accusing Somalia of using the resolution to support Beijing’s “One-China Principle.”

Taiwanese authorities have advised citizens to avoid travel to both Somalia and Somaliland until the restriction is lifted.

China welcomed Somalia’s decision, describing it as “a legitimate measure reflecting Somalia’s commitment to the One-China Principle,” according to foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, as quoted by AFP.

Taiwan operates under its own constitution and holds multi-party democratic elections. However, China views the island as a breakaway province and has not ruled out the use of force to assert control.

Beijing has maintained diplomatic pressure to isolate Taiwan, leaving only a small number of countries that formally recognise it.

Taiwan’s state news agency, Focus Taiwan, said the restriction is likely to have little practical impact. It cited government data showing only 16 trips by Taiwanese nationals to Somalia between 2016 and February this year.