On September 27, 2024, I conducted an interview with Ambassador Allen Lou, Taiwan’s representative to Somaliland, in Hargeisa. Accompanied by Chris Lee, the office’s First Secretary, our conversation illuminated Taiwan’s strategic and diplomatic goals in Africa. The room where the interview took place, lined with photos from key diplomatic events, subtly reflected Taiwan’s journey toward international recognition through partnerships focused on sustainable development and security.
It is important to note that Taiwan is recognized by only twelve countries, and Somaliland is not internationally recognized as a sovereign state, although both share a unique status. Somaliland is viewed as a self-governing region of Somalia, yet the two have maintained mutual representative offices in their capitals since 20201 and maintained effective internal sovereignty. Both are also members of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO)2, forging a diplomatic relationship based on shared struggles for international recognition. Drawing from the conversation with Ambassador Lou, this article analyzes Taiwan’s diplomatic push in Somaliland, exploring its potential as a pathway for peacebuilding, security, and development in Africa.
A Vision for Peace, Stability, and Development in Somaliland
Ambassador Lou presented Taiwan’s engagement with Somaliland within his country’s vision for creating a model for development and peacebuilding in the Horn of Africa. “Our cooperation is not just about aid,” he emphasized, “it’s about building long-term partnerships based on mutual respect and shared values. Somaliland and Taiwan share a common struggle for international recognition, and this is where our bonds begin.” In contrast to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which prioritizes economic gains through large-scale infrastructure projects in Africa, Taiwan’s approach in Somaliland is more people-centered and directed at promoting capacity-building.
Lou referred to ongoing projects in healthcare, agriculture, education, and technology as part of Taiwan’s broader efforts to contribute towards development of Somaliland’s social infrastructure. “We are here to build self-reliance in the communities we work with. Our presence is focused on equipping people with skills and knowledge that empower them to transform their own futures.” This policy of fostering self-reliance resonates strongly with peacebuilding and development principles that prioritize local agency and community resilience as foundations for long-term stability.
Taiwan’s support in Somaliland extends beyond conventional aid. Recent projects include initiatives to improve maternal and child healthcare through partnerships with local hospitals, as well as technology transfer projects aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity. “Our approach is not about creating dependency,” Lou noted. “We are here to teach people how to catch fish, not just to give them fish.”
Security and Diplomacy in the Horn of Africa
Ambassador Lou emphasized that Taiwan’s engagement with Somaliland is as much about security as it is about development. “Somaliland is a beacon of democracy in East Africa, just like Taiwan is in Asia,” he remarked. “Our presence here is not only about development cooperation; it’s also about safeguarding democracy in a region where authoritarian models are on the rise.”
Lou’s remarks highlighted Taiwan’s strategy of promoting stability through support for democratic governance and institutional development, in contrast to China’s model of building influence through the BRI. The ambassador pointed out that Taiwan’s economic diplomacy deliberately avoided a situation in which African countries would become economically dependent on his country. He argues that economic dependency could undermine democratic institutions and weaken local governance structures, thereby exacerbating vulnerabilities that could contribute to political instability.
He asserted that “development and security go hand-in-hand,” and went further to explain that “our projects are designed to address the root causes of conflict and poverty, ensuring that communities are not just recipients of aid, but active participants in shaping their own futures.”
UN Resolution 2758: A Battle Over Interpretations
Part of the interview touched on UN Resolution 27583, of 1971, that recognized the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as “the only legitimate representative of China to the United Nations,” effectively replacing the Republic of China (ROC), commonly referred to as Taiwan.
As a result, the resolution has been used to legitimize the isolation of Taiwan within the international community.
Ambassador Lou’s perspective on this resolution was that it “was focused on the ROC’s seat, not on Taiwan itself.” He also argued that “the PRC has since distorted this resolution to imply that Taiwan is part of China, but that was never the original meaning.” According to Lou, this misinterpretation has been used as a diplomatic weapon by Beijing to exclude Taiwan from international organizations like the United Nations (UN) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Lou argued that Taiwan’s exclusion from these organizations was unfair, pointing out that “Taiwan has much to offer in terms of expertise in healthcare, technology, and governance” and “our exclusion is a loss not just for us, but for the international community as a whole.”
Taiwan and Somaliland: A Partnership for a Shared Future
Taiwan’s presence in Somaliland represents an alternative model of engagement. Ambassador Lou described Taiwan as a “gateway” for democratic nations seeking to engage with Africa without the strings attached to China’s economic hegemony. “We are building a ‘Democratic Supply Chain,’” he explained, referring to a network of partnerships with like-minded nations that prioritize shared values, good governance, and sustainable development. In Somaliland, Taiwan’s efforts include support for democratic institutions, capacity-building in key sectors, and local ownership of development processes.
As the Horn of Africa faces increasing security challenges, including conflict, terrorism, and political instability, Taiwan’s presence in Somaliland offers a unique opportunity for peacebuilding and development. While it may only have full diplomatic relations with Eswatini, it has continued to make efforts towards building bridges and forging unofficial relations with other African countries. For example, Taiwan has established representative offices in South Africa, Somaliland, and Nigeria, while establishing External Trade Development Offices in Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, and Algeria.4
Ambassador Lou’s reflections illustrate a broader vision of partnership that seeks to promote stability through mutual respect and shared values. In a world where geopolitical tensions often overshadow the developmental needs of countries, Taiwan’s approach provides a viable pathway for fostering resilience and self-reliance in fragile regions. Lou concluded that stating “we may be small, but our voice is loud. And we are determined to be heard.” In Somaliland, as in other parts of Africa, Taiwan’s diplomatic thrust continues to offer an alternative model of cooperation built on trust, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to peace and development.
Endnotes
- Nationalia. “Taiwan and Somaliland Set Up Mutual Embassies.” Nationalia, Accessed October 22, 2024. https://www.nationalia.info/brief/11337/taiwan-and-somaliland-set-up-mutual-embassies.
- Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization. “The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO).” Accessed October 22, 2024. https://unpo.org/#:~:text=The%20Unrepresented%20Nations%20and%20Peoples,and%20safeguarding%20their%20fundamental%20rights.
- United Nations. “Resolution Adopted by the General Assembly: 2758 (XXVI): Restoration of the Lawful Rights of the People’s Republic of China in the United Nations.” United Nations Digital Library, October 25, 1971. https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/192054.
- Geopolitica.info. “Taiwan: The Road to Africa Blocked by China – A Difficult but Not Impossible Bridge for Taiwan.” Geopolitica, Accessed October 22, 2024. https://www.geopolitica.info/taiwan-the-road-to-africa-blocked-by-china-a-difficult-but-not-impossible-bridge-for-taiwan/.
