Taiwan and Somalia impose travel bans amid diplomatic tensions
- On April 30, 2025, Taiwan's foreign ministry reported that Somalia banned travelers holding Taiwanese passports.
- The ban is perceived as a diplomatic response to Taiwan's recognition of Somaliland.
- Taiwan condemned this move as a violation of travel freedom and safety for its citizens.
In a significant diplomatic clash, Taiwan and Somalia have imposed reciprocal travel bans affecting each other's citizens. This development follows Taiwan's recognition of Somaliland, a self-declared independent region of Somalia that remains unrecognized by most countries. On April 30, 2025, Somalia's civil aviation authority announced that passengers holding Taiwanese passports would no longer be permitted to enter or transit through Somali territory. Taiwan's foreign ministry protested this action, describing it as a limitation on travel freedom and an unsafe measure for Taiwanese nationals. The ban has not yet been openly addressed by Somalia, and the timing coincides with China's praise for Somalia's adherence to the one-China principle, which asserts that Taiwan is a part of China. The escalating tensions are reflective of Taiwan's ongoing struggle for diplomatic recognition amid Chinese influence in the region. Meanwhile, Somaliland and Taiwan had established early diplomatic relations, opening embassies in each other's capitals in 2020, angering both Somalia and China. This current travel ban further complicates the delicate diplomatic landscape in East Africa, affecting the safety and freedom of movement for Taiwanese citizens while highlighting the broader geopolitical implications in the One China context.