Friday December 13, 2024
Mao Ning, spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, addresses a press briefing in Beijing, reaffirming the country's commitment to the one-China policy. CREDIT / China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Mogadishu (HOL) — China has once again drawn a diplomatic red line, urging Somalia to hold firm to the one-China principle in the face of Taiwan's deepening relationship with Somaliland. The statement, delivered Thursday, follows Taiwan's attendance at the inauguration of Somaliland's new president—a symbolic move that has reignited geopolitical tensions in the Horn of Africa.
Speaking from Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning condemned Taiwan's engagement in Somaliland as an affront to China's sovereignty. "There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of it," she declared. Mao applauded Somalia's commitment to the one-China policy, calling on all "relevant parties" to align with international norms and reject attempts to undermine Beijing's territorial integrity.
The controversy stems from Taiwan's calculated outreach to Somaliland, a self-declared republic that broke away from Somalia in 1991. Despite operating as a stable and democratic entity for over three decades, Somaliland remains unrecognized globally. Taiwan, facing its own diplomatic isolation under China's pressure, found a willing partner in Somaliland, formalizing ties in 2020.
Taipei has invested in initiatives ranging from health care to technology in Somaliland, portraying the partnership as a win for democracy. For Beijing, however, the relationship represents a direct challenge to its claims over Taiwan—a situation that risks spilling over into broader geopolitical instability in the region.
For Somaliland, the partnership with Taiwan offers a rare opportunity to garner international attention and support. It allows Hargeisa to bypass Mogadishu and position itself as a sovereign entity aligned with democratic values. Meanwhile, Taiwan sees the relationship as a strategic foothold in Africa, enhancing its global presence while sidestepping Beijing's dominance.