The small African state of Somaliland has sparked tensions with its neighbor to the east, giant China, over its growing relationship with Taiwan, in a conflict of competing interests near the Horn of Africa. While the dominion of Taiwan is legally considered part of the People’s Republic of China, Somaliland’s ties with Taiwan has led to China leveling diplomatic criticism and using economic leverage to try and win Somaliland over.
What Is Somaliland?
Somaliland, officially the Republic of Somaliland, is a self-declared, unrecognized nation within the African continent. Situated near the highly contentious region known as the Horn of Africa, an area surrounded by countries that have not always been on the best of terms, the nation holds claims to both British and Italian territories from the colonial era.
The thin strip of land occupies a precious and strategically important spot between Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Somalia. Having attained independence from Britain in 1960, the citizens of Somaliland peacefully declared the republic’s sovereignty in 1991.
Why China Has Its Eyes on Somaliland
While Somaliland remains unrecognized internationally, China has long been eying the strategic port located in Somaliland, putting the southeastern African nation in the center of a power struggle between itself and Taiwan, who Somaliland has been increasingly strengthening ties with.
In 2008, Somaliland’s growing relationship with Taiwan surprised China, when Somaliland declared itself the “only legitimate representative of the Taiwan people” in the African continent. The declaration provided Taiwan, an island that has had a shaky diplomatic rapport with China, access to the “exclusive economic zone” and expanded Somaliland’s own foreign trading options with other nations in the region.
Why Somaliland’s Relationship With Taiwan Is So Important
For the citizens of Somaliland, the relationship with Taiwan means a much-needed boost to their country’s ailing economy. The Former Vice President of Somaliland, Abdirahman Abdillahi Ismail, has stated that the partnership with Taiwan provides “an economic opportunity that enables us to take advantage of foreign investments, create employment opportunities and improvements in infrastructure.”
Before launching its partnership with Taiwan in 2008, Somaliland had dismal rates of income inequality, underdeveloped infrastructure, no proper banking system, and no foreign aid.
Taiwan’s Influence In Somaliland
Taiwan has wasted no time in leveraging its presence in Somaliland’s ports. Projects such as the “Rasai Port Extension Program” have already gone into action, and Taiwan is already helping to improve infrastructure with the use of international loans, foreign investments, and a rise in foreign traders.
The ferry rides between Somaliland’s Berbera Port and Yemen’s Aden Port have been recently upgraded, with the help of a Taiwanese grant back in 2018. As a result, transport services have been improved, and the port is now expected to generate more revenue due to increased trading opportunities.
Further increasing its clout in Somaliland, Taiwan also launched a project to set up a safe haven for Ethiopian refugees in the area. To finance the project, Taiwan made two donations of $3 million and $1 million, respectively, showed in October of 2019.
Somalia’s Objections To Taiwan’s Presence
Somalia, a federal state that sits to the southwest of Somaliland, has been adamantly opposed to the presence of Taiwan’s in its neighbor’s lands. This is mainly due to the rivalry between China and Taiwan, and Somalia’s own loyalties to the People’s Republic of China.
Somalia was one of the first African countries to recognize China and sever ties with Taiwan, a decision which has largely been a financial boon for the nation. Somalia is the recipient of large economic and financial assistance packages such as the “China-Somalia Cooperation”, which has brought large-scale investments in agricultural, infrastructure, and fisheries projects to the country.
China’s Move To Close Down Taiwan’s Presence
Having lost control to Taiwan over Somaliland’s resources and outside investments, China has made a series of moves to try and undercut Taiwan’s presence in the country.
China has tried to pressure Somaliland into cutting deals, and has even looked into enforcing “regulation changes”, though it should be pointed out that Somaliland is considered a sovereign state, making any such attempts from China illegal.
Chinese diplomats have also tried to sway Somaliland leaders over to China’s side with the promise of diplomatic recognition and economic assistance. So far, the government of Somaliland has remained unconvinced by these promises.
Taiwan Still Determined To Continue Its Presence
Earlier this year, Taiwan’s president, Tsai Ing-wen, was quoted on Taiwan’s official website as saying, “We will not give up our relationship with Somaliland, as it is a very important partner.” Taiwan has vowed to continue overseas development projects and financial aid programs, and that it “will not be swayed by Chinese political pressure no matter the cost.”
Taiwan’s decision to stand strong in its relationship with Somaliland has already been playing out in the form of ongoing improvements to the region’s infrastructure. In November 2020, it was announced that a hospital project in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland, was nearly completed. This project was funded with a $50 million grant promised by Taiwan.
Against the backdrop of a tumultuous global landscape, the rivalry between China and Taiwan for the strategic advantage of Somaliland remains in full-swing. While China is offering diplomatic recognition and a slew of economic incentives, Taiwan is preferred by Somaliland in terms of the nation’s developmental goals.
It looks like both countries will be vying for Somaliland’s interests for some time to come. Hopefully, through this tug-of-war between China and Taiwan, Somaliland can gain more economic and developmental advantage for its citizens.
