Somaliland's strategic status rises, BBC: Taiwan's layout hopes to ally with US against China
Taiwan is accelerating its ties with Somaliland, a strategic hub in the Horn of Africa, seeking to build a regional alliance with the U.S. and Israel to counter China's diplomatic pressure.
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- 📰 Published: April 24, 2026 at 21:20
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- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 24, 2026 at 21:56 (23 min after Collected)
(Central News Agency, Taipei, 24th, comprehensive foreign report) President Lai Ching-te recently planned to visit diplomatic ally Eswatini in Africa, but the trip was postponed due to China's interference. Foreign media point out that Taiwan is accelerating its alignment with Somaliland and lobbying U.S.-led partners to pay more attention, hoping to form a "regional joint defense" to counter China's pressure.
BBC News Chinese reported yesterday that the obstruction of President Lai's visit once again highlights Taiwan's diplomatic predicament in Africa. However, on the African continent, Taiwan is rapidly growing closer to Somaliland, which is also unrecognized by the United Nations.
With Israel expected to officially recognize Somaliland by the end of 2025, coupled with the turbulent energy situation in the Middle East, Somaliland—located at the choke point of the Gulf of Aden and rich in key minerals like rare earths—is becoming a new hotspot for gamesmanship among the U.S., China, and Taiwan.
The "Horn of Africa" refers to the peninsula region protruding in northeastern Africa, mainly including Somalia, Somaliland, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Djibouti, where troops from the U.S., Japan, and China are stationed.
This is one of the world's most strategically significant shipping lanes, controlling the Bab el-Mandeb Strait that connects the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, carrying about 10% to 12% of global trade volume.
Luo Chen-hua, representative of the Taiwan Representative Office in Somaliland, said in an interview with the BBC that when he arrived six years ago, most locals thought he was from mainland China. When walking on the street, passersby often yelled "China" at him.
Luo tirelessly explained, "No, I am from Taiwan."
He told reporters that the situation has changed now, "Everyone knows Taiwan."
The BBC report wrote that Somaliland, with a population of about 6 million, separated from Somalia in 1991. As energy and materials become new bargaining chips for major powers, its strategic position in Africa has gradually climbed in recent years. Taiwan's role in navigating this has begun to become a focal point.
Luo explained that Taiwan established "high-level official relations" with Somaliland and set up mutual representative offices in 2020, making it an early player. Over the past six years, the focus has been on the "Taiwan model," including comprehensive assistance in medical care, agriculture, public health, and infrastructure.
He further explained that Taiwan assisted Somaliland with democratic elections in 2021 and 2024. For 2025 to 2026, their cooperation will extend to maritime security, alongside substantial investments in the economic and energy sectors.
Currently, Taiwan's CPC Corporation has invested tens of millions of dollars locally. Luo mentioned, "If all goes well, the first well is expected to be drilled in 2027."
Analysts say that following Israel's recognition of its status late last year, Taiwan views Somaliland as a "like-minded democratic partner," accelerating its pace of connecting with allies like the U.S. and Israel, hoping to jointly shape the area into a democratic stronghold in the Red Sea.
Especially since Taiwan only has Eswatini left as a diplomatic ally in Africa, Somaliland, with its prominent strategic and material position, has become a key new diplomatic partner for Taiwan.
Luo emphasized that he views Somaliland as a "Treasure Island" by the Red Sea, meaning it is rich in energy, minerals, and agriculture, genuinely attracting investment and diplomatic interest from Taiwan and other countries.
Among them, Somaliland's most valued ally, the U.S., has also begun to show climbing investment interest.
However, Israel's move to recognize its status has brought the underlying geopolitical currents—the U.S. and Taiwan behind Somaliland, and the Turkey, China, and Russia alliance behind Somalia—gradually to the surface.
China has long supported Somalia's territorial integrity, claiming Somaliland is an "inalienable part" of Somalia. For example, after Israel officially recognized Somaliland, China immediately reiterated its position, criticizing Somaliland's interactions with Taiwan and supporting Somalia in combating "separatist forces."
Yet, on the economic front, China's large-scale direct investments in Somaliland are relatively scarce, making it one of the few areas in Africa lightly touched by the "Belt and Road" initiative.
Luo pointed out that Chinese companies are currently mainly engaged in small-scale mining (buying ore and simple extraction before exporting), without systematic large-scale development.
He also stated, "When Taiwan set up its office in 2020, China came with high-value promises to entice Somaliland to sever ties, but failed."
The BBC report mentioned that Taiwan is actively lobbying U.S.-led partners to pay more attention, hoping the U.S. will accelerate establishing a presence to form a "regional joint defense" against China's pressure.
Joshua Meservey, a senior analyst at the U.S. think tank Hudson Institute, analyzed for the BBC that Somaliland's strategic value is indeed attractive to the U.S., mainly regarding security and economic potential.
Economically, Somaliland's Berbera Port has completed renovations and is one of the most efficient ports in all of Africa.
Moreover, Somaliland is pro-U.S., relatively stable, maintains relations with Taiwan, resists China's overtures, and has a relatively robust democratic system where the president and parliamentarians are directly elected by the people, coupled with an excellent strategic location close to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
In contrast, extremist groups like the Islamic State and al-Shabaab, which still operate in Somalia, are very active. The U.S. has already launched multiple airstrikes against these two organizations.
Meservey therefore believes Somaliland could become an attractive hedging option for the U.S., in case American influence in Djibouti is further weakened.
The BBC concluded that the "Horn of Africa" is quickly becoming a new arena for 21st-century great power competition. With its potential mineral resources and strategic location, Somaliland has attracted allies like Taiwan, the U.S., and Israel.
However, China continues to stand its ground, attempting to weaken their influence through small-scale development and diplomatic pressure.
BBC News Chinese reported yesterday that the obstruction of President Lai's visit once again highlights Taiwan's diplomatic predicament in Africa. However, on the African continent, Taiwan is rapidly growing closer to Somaliland, which is also unrecognized by the United Nations.
With Israel expected to officially recognize Somaliland by the end of 2025, coupled with the turbulent energy situation in the Middle East, Somaliland—located at the choke point of the Gulf of Aden and rich in key minerals like rare earths—is becoming a new hotspot for gamesmanship among the U.S., China, and Taiwan.
The "Horn of Africa" refers to the peninsula region protruding in northeastern Africa, mainly including Somalia, Somaliland, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Djibouti, where troops from the U.S., Japan, and China are stationed.
This is one of the world's most strategically significant shipping lanes, controlling the Bab el-Mandeb Strait that connects the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, carrying about 10% to 12% of global trade volume.
Luo Chen-hua, representative of the Taiwan Representative Office in Somaliland, said in an interview with the BBC that when he arrived six years ago, most locals thought he was from mainland China. When walking on the street, passersby often yelled "China" at him.
Luo tirelessly explained, "No, I am from Taiwan."
He told reporters that the situation has changed now, "Everyone knows Taiwan."
The BBC report wrote that Somaliland, with a population of about 6 million, separated from Somalia in 1991. As energy and materials become new bargaining chips for major powers, its strategic position in Africa has gradually climbed in recent years. Taiwan's role in navigating this has begun to become a focal point.
Luo explained that Taiwan established "high-level official relations" with Somaliland and set up mutual representative offices in 2020, making it an early player. Over the past six years, the focus has been on the "Taiwan model," including comprehensive assistance in medical care, agriculture, public health, and infrastructure.
He further explained that Taiwan assisted Somaliland with democratic elections in 2021 and 2024. For 2025 to 2026, their cooperation will extend to maritime security, alongside substantial investments in the economic and energy sectors.
Currently, Taiwan's CPC Corporation has invested tens of millions of dollars locally. Luo mentioned, "If all goes well, the first well is expected to be drilled in 2027."
Analysts say that following Israel's recognition of its status late last year, Taiwan views Somaliland as a "like-minded democratic partner," accelerating its pace of connecting with allies like the U.S. and Israel, hoping to jointly shape the area into a democratic stronghold in the Red Sea.
Especially since Taiwan only has Eswatini left as a diplomatic ally in Africa, Somaliland, with its prominent strategic and material position, has become a key new diplomatic partner for Taiwan.
Luo emphasized that he views Somaliland as a "Treasure Island" by the Red Sea, meaning it is rich in energy, minerals, and agriculture, genuinely attracting investment and diplomatic interest from Taiwan and other countries.
Among them, Somaliland's most valued ally, the U.S., has also begun to show climbing investment interest.
However, Israel's move to recognize its status has brought the underlying geopolitical currents—the U.S. and Taiwan behind Somaliland, and the Turkey, China, and Russia alliance behind Somalia—gradually to the surface.
China has long supported Somalia's territorial integrity, claiming Somaliland is an "inalienable part" of Somalia. For example, after Israel officially recognized Somaliland, China immediately reiterated its position, criticizing Somaliland's interactions with Taiwan and supporting Somalia in combating "separatist forces."
Yet, on the economic front, China's large-scale direct investments in Somaliland are relatively scarce, making it one of the few areas in Africa lightly touched by the "Belt and Road" initiative.
Luo pointed out that Chinese companies are currently mainly engaged in small-scale mining (buying ore and simple extraction before exporting), without systematic large-scale development.
He also stated, "When Taiwan set up its office in 2020, China came with high-value promises to entice Somaliland to sever ties, but failed."
The BBC report mentioned that Taiwan is actively lobbying U.S.-led partners to pay more attention, hoping the U.S. will accelerate establishing a presence to form a "regional joint defense" against China's pressure.
Joshua Meservey, a senior analyst at the U.S. think tank Hudson Institute, analyzed for the BBC that Somaliland's strategic value is indeed attractive to the U.S., mainly regarding security and economic potential.
Economically, Somaliland's Berbera Port has completed renovations and is one of the most efficient ports in all of Africa.
Moreover, Somaliland is pro-U.S., relatively stable, maintains relations with Taiwan, resists China's overtures, and has a relatively robust democratic system where the president and parliamentarians are directly elected by the people, coupled with an excellent strategic location close to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
In contrast, extremist groups like the Islamic State and al-Shabaab, which still operate in Somalia, are very active. The U.S. has already launched multiple airstrikes against these two organizations.
Meservey therefore believes Somaliland could become an attractive hedging option for the U.S., in case American influence in Djibouti is further weakened.
The BBC concluded that the "Horn of Africa" is quickly becoming a new arena for 21st-century great power competition. With its potential mineral resources and strategic location, Somaliland has attracted allies like Taiwan, the U.S., and Israel.
However, China continues to stand its ground, attempting to weaken their influence through small-scale development and diplomatic pressure.