Somaliland and Taiwan have signed a landmark coastguard agreement in Taipei aimed at deepening ties, Somaliland National TV said on Thursday.
The agreement was signed during a high-level visit by Somaliland’s foreign minister Abdirahman Dahir Adam, who met Taiwan’s president Lai Ching-te on Thursday.
Lai said “our nations are writing a new chapter in our partnership and showing resilience of democratic alliances”.
“We will keep deepening ties, from education to maritime security,” he added.
A spokeswoman for the Taiwanese president said the agreement “reflects continued dialogue between our two sides, with cooperation expanding into maritime security and the blue economy, helping lay the groundwork for future ties”.
Somaliland National TV said “Taiwan’s maritime capabilities and expertise offer a pathway to sustainable growth, positioning both nations to benefit from the blue economy”.
“Somaliland’s maritime territory, extending 200 nautical miles offshore, has the potential to harvest over 200,000 metric tons of fish annually, creating jobs and boosting trade,” it added.
Somaliland hopes the maritime deal will help enhance its maritime defence against illegal fishing and other threats.
The pact is a direct challenge to China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Beijing’s efforts to isolate Taiwan diplomatically.
China has pressured African countries to shun Taiwan, and a ban by Somalia on Taiwanese passport holders in April reflects its growing influence on the continent.
Somalia’s federal government, which considers Somaliland part of its territory, is likely to oppose the deal, viewing it as a threat to its sovereignty.
