 |
Hargeisa/Washington — In a dramatic escalation of tensions, two senior members of the U.S. Congress have delivered an uncompromising message to Somalia: repeal the recent ban on Taiwanese passport holders or face tangible diplomatic and immigration reprisals.
Representatives Tom Tiffany and Andy Ogles issued a blistering letter to Somalia’s ambassador in Washington, condemning the April 22 directive that bars individuals with Taiwanese documents from entering, transiting, or departing via Somali territory.
Invoking the Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative Act (TAIPEI Act), the lawmakers underscored that Somalia’s decision violates a cornerstone of U.S. policy: defending Taiwan’s international space. Passed in 2020, the TAIPEI Act not only authorizes but obliges the United States to reassess relationships with foreign governments that actively undermine Taiwan.
“Somalia’s alignment with Beijing’s anti-Taiwan agenda has crossed a red line for American lawmakers,” a diplomatic source in Washington told Somaliland Chronicle on condition of anonymity. “What Mogadishu perhaps failed to anticipate is that there are real consequences to becoming China’s proxy in the Horn of Africa.”
The potential repercussions outlined in the letter are substantial:
- Revocation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for thousands of Somali nationals currently residing legally in the United States
- Suspension of visa processing for Somalis seeking education, healthcare, or family reunification in America
- Possible closure of Somalia’s embassy in Washington, effectively severing diplomatic ties at the highest level
Growing evidence suggests the ban was not Somalia’s sovereign decision, but one choreographed to curry favor with Beijing. The directive came just days after Chinese state media lauded Somalia’s loyalty to the so-called “One-China” principle — a political fiction that Beijing aggressively pushes to isolate Taiwan internationally.
This move starkly contrasts with how Somaliland, though unrecognized internationally, has boldly conducted its own foreign policy by deepening its relationship with Taiwan. The two established representative offices in 2020, and since then, Taiwan has poured resources into Somaliland’s agriculture, health, and education sectors — all without asking Somaliland to play puppet.
“Somalia’s government seems willing to mortgage its foreign policy for praise from a regime half a world away,” said a Horn of Africa policy expert familiar with the matter. “The irony is that an unrecognized territory like Somaliland manages to engage Taiwan with dignity, while Mogadishu behaves like an occupied satellite.”
Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Tibor Nagy didn’t mince words either. “One would think Somalia is a powerful nation instead of an international beggar which depends on others for security with its arrogant banning of travelers using Taiwan documents. Its ‘leaders’ should read the U.S. TAIPEI Act,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Somali officials have remained silent. But Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has publicly acknowledged the congressional support and reaffirmed its commitment to strengthen ties with Somaliland.
For Mogadishu, the risks are no longer theoretical. Somalia relies heavily on U.S. aid, diplomatic backing at the UN, and security cooperation. A rupture with Washington would have seismic effects beyond visas — it could destabilize key programs tied to security, governance, and debt relief.
“Somalia is playing a dangerous game of geopolitical chess without the protections that come with real sovereignty,” noted a Western diplomat in the region. “In this contest between superpowers, Mogadishu has positioned itself as a pawn — but it’s pretending to be a king.”
Developing story: Somaliland Chronicle will continue to monitor this situation as it unfolds.