Taiwan-Somaliland expected to continue under new Somaliland president. (Taiwan Representative Office in Somaliland)
Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi reaffirmed bilateral ties during campaign
Cooperation with Somaliland will continue under newly-elected President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, Wang Wen-Lin (王文麟), a counselor in Taiwan foreign ministry’s Department of Asian and African Affairs, said on Tuesday (Nov. 26).
Wang said Abdullahi remains committed to seeking international recognition for Somaliland, Liberty Times reported. During the presidential campaign, Abdullahi reiterated that ties with Taiwan would not change under his leadership. Wang mentioned that the Taiwan representative office in Somaliland maintains connections with his Waddani Party.
The counselor said Taiwan and Somaliland cooperate in public health, information technology, agriculture, and education. Two key projects in Somaliland are underway, including a road infrastructure project and a medical center.
The “Taiwan Road” was announced in September and will connect the nation’s Egal International Airport to its capital Hargesia. The Taiwanese government agreed to provide US$1.85 million, approximately 70% of the total cost, with Hargeisa Municipality covering the remaining 30%.
In October, Taiwan pledged US$22 million to design and construct a medical center at Hargeisa Group Hospital. The Taiwan Medical Center will be a two-story building with 97 beds to increase the hospital’s capacity to nearly 600 beds, according to Representative Allen C. Lou (羅震華).
The representative office said Taiwan “is proud to support Somaliland’s democratization.” The office looks forward to advancing people-centered cooperation between the two countries
