Significance in Bilateral Relations
July 25, 2025, a high-level Somaliland delegation led by Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dahir Adan arrived in Taipei. The group included the Coast Guard Commander, senior officials, and advisers .
During this five-day visit, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Somaliland's delegation signed a "Coast Guard Cooperation Agreement”, overseen by Taiwan’s Ocean Affairs Council and Coast Guard Administration .
The deal aims to enhance maritime security, anti-piracy operations, and provide training and capacity-building for Somaliland’s coast guard
Significance in Bilateral Relations
The visit and agreement mark a significant escalation in practical cooperation between two unrecognised entities that share democratic values and regional security concerns.
Since opening mutual representative offices in Hargeisa and Taipei in 2020, Somaliland and Taiwan have expanded cooperation in healthcare, education, digital infrastructure, agriculture, trade, and governance .
This new deal now adds coastal defense and maritime surveillance to the partnership, underlining strategic alignment.
Regional & Diplomatic Context
The agreement has drawn strong criticism from Somalia and China, both of which oppose Taiwan–Somaliland engagement. Somalia views Somaliland as part of its territory and argues that Taiwan's actions infringe its sovereignty. China cites its One China policy and opposes any recognition or diplomatic ties with Taiwan .
In response, Somalia banned travel for Taiwanese passport holders in April 2025, and Taiwan reportedly issued a reciprocal ban on Somali passport holders
. What It Means
This binding Coast Guard Cooperation Agreement is a first in Somaliland–Taiwan relations—moving beyond development and technical exchange into security and military-style collaboration.
Somaliland gains access to Taiwan’s coastal surveillance systems, radar networks, and joint vessel training, particularly important given its strategic location along the Gulf of Aden and Bab-el-Mandeb chokepoint .
For Taiwan, this deepens ties in the Horn of Africa and reinforces its position as a partner in regional stability aligned with democratic values.
Summary Table
Visit DatesJuly 21–25, 2025
High-level DelegationLed by Somaliland FM Abdirahman Dahir Adan, including Coast Guard leader & ministers
Signed AgreementCoast Guard Cooperation Agreement on maritime security and capacity building
Key Focus AreasAnti-piracy, joint training, coastal monitoring, technical assistance
Diplomatic ContextStrong pushback from Somalia & China; reciprocal travel bans enacted
Strategic ImpactMoves partnership into security domain; enhances Somaliland’s coastal defense capability
Despite not achieving formal diplomatic recognition internationally, Somaliland and Taiwan continue to advance a strategic, values‑based partnership—and this latest agreement is a watershed moment, extending into coastal defense and maritime cooperation.
This article written by keysa Abdulahi awad
Birmingham
Uk
hadhwanaagnews 
