Taiwan has openly welcomed Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland as a sovereign state, standing apart from the United States, the European Union, and much of Europe, which continue to back Somalia’s territorial claims.
In a statement issued Sunday, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described Taiwan, Israel, and Somaliland as “like-minded democratic partners” united by shared values of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. Taipei said Israel’s move would pave the way for deeper three-way cooperation across multiple sectors.
Taiwan’s support reflects its steadily growing relationship with Somaliland, which has operated as a de facto independent state since 1991 despite Somalia’s objections. In 2020, Taiwan opened a representative office in Hargeisa, with Somaliland reciprocating by establishing an office in Taipei—a move that drew sharp criticism from Beijing but marked a diplomatic milestone for both sides.
Since then, Taiwan and Somaliland have expanded cooperation in medicine, education, agriculture, telecommunications, security, and energy development. Most recently, the two signed an agreement in July to strengthen coast guard cooperation, jointly safeguarding navigation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden—one of the world’s most strategic maritime corridors.
Israel’s recognition last week made it the first UN member state to formally recognize Somaliland’s sovereignty, triggering protests from Somalia, Egypt, and Turkey, all of which warned that recognizing Somaliland threatens international stability.
US President Donald Trump said he does not intend to immediately follow Israel’s lead, while the European Union reiterated its support for Somalia’s territorial integrity.
Taiwan’s endorsement, however, sends a different signal: that democratic alignment and strategic cooperation can outweigh diplomatic pressure. As the list of supporters grows, Somaliland’s once-isolated bid for recognition is rapidly turning into a geopolitical test case—one that Taiwan, Israel, and Hargeisa are now advancing together.
