Deputy Foreign Minister François Wu Arrives in Somaliland for Inauguration Ceremony
Taiwan’s Deputy Foreign Minister François Wu (吳志中) arrived in Somaliland on Wednesday to attend the presidential inauguration of President-elect Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi. Wu is visiting as a special envoy of Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) to extend Taiwan’s congratulations to Somaliland’s newly elected president.
Wu’s arrival in the capital city of Hargeisa was marked by a warm welcome from local officials, including Rhoda Jama Elmi, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Somaliland. In addition, Somaliland’s representative to Taiwan, Mohamed Omar Hagi Mohamoud, and Khadar Hussein Abdi, a member of the new government’s transition team, were present to greet Wu and his delegation.
Inauguration Ceremony and Diplomatic Meetings
Wu is set to attend the inauguration ceremony scheduled for Thursday, where President-elect Abdullahi will officially assume office. Abdullahi, who secured a decisive 64 percent of the vote in the Nov. 13 presidential election, is set to become the sixth president of Somaliland, a region that declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but is not internationally recognized.
During his visit, Wu will meet with outgoing President Muse Bihi Abdi, as well as other senior officials of the Somaliland government. These diplomatic discussions are expected to focus on further strengthening the ties between Taiwan and Somaliland, especially following the establishment of representative offices in each other’s capitals in 2020.
Taiwan-Somaliland Relations Strengthen
Ties between Taiwan and Somaliland have warmed in recent years, particularly after the opening of the Somaliland Representative Office in Taipei and the Taiwan Representative Office in Hargeisa. These offices symbolize the growing diplomatic engagement between the two, which both face challenges from the international community due to their respective lack of formal recognition.
Somaliland, despite its declaration of independence from Somalia in 1991, continues to function as a de facto sovereign state with its own government, economy, and military, though it has not been recognized by any other countries.
Taiwan, similarly unrecognized by many countries due to pressure from China, has established strong relations with Somaliland, a partnership grounded in shared interests and mutual support for sovereignty and self-determination.
President-elect Abdullahi’s Electoral Victory
The newly elected President Abdullahi, a former speaker of the Somaliland Parliament, won the presidential election by a wide margin, defeating the incumbent, Muse Bihi Abdi, who secured only 35 percent of the vote. Abdullahi’s victory marks a new chapter in Somaliland’s political history, with many hoping his leadership will bring further stability and progress to the self-declared nation.
Abdullahi’s presidency is expected to focus on economic growth, regional security, and further enhancing Somaliland’s standing in the international community, despite challenges from its lack of recognition.
Key Events of Wu’s Diplomatic Visit to Somaliland
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Dec. 6, 2023 | Deputy FM François Wu arrives in Hargeisa |
| Dec. 7, 2023 | Wu attends presidential inauguration of Abdullahi |
| Dec. 7, 2023 | Diplomatic meetings with outgoing President Bihi and other senior officials |
| Nov. 13, 2023 | Abdullahi wins 64% of the vote in Somaliland’s presidential election |
| 2020 | Taiwan and Somaliland establish representative offices in each other’s capitals |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Why is Taiwan’s Deputy Foreign Minister visiting Somaliland? | François Wu is visiting as a special envoy of Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te to attend the inauguration of Somaliland’s new president. |
| What is the significance of Taiwan-Somaliland relations? | The visit reflects the strengthening ties between Taiwan and Somaliland, especially after both countries opened representative offices in each other’s capitals in 2020. |
| Who won the Somaliland presidential election? | Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi won 64 percent of the vote in Somaliland’s presidential election on Nov. 13, 2023, defeating incumbent Muse Bihi. |
| What are the diplomatic goals of this visit? | The visit aims to congratulate the new president, deepen Taiwan-Somaliland relations, and discuss further cooperation between the two. |
| What is Somaliland’s status in international relations? | Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but is not officially recognized by any other country, despite functioning as a de facto sovereign state. |
