Taiwan's foreign minister meets with new Somaliland envoy

Taipei, March 22 (CNA) Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) met with Somaliland's new representative to Taipei, Mahmoud Adam Jama Galaal, on Friday, with both expressing hope for increased bilateral ties in the future, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).

MOFA said in a press release that the envoy from the East African region submitted a letter of appointment signed by Somaliland Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dahir Adam Bakal during his meeting with Lin, completing the official procedures for assuming office.

Galaal, appointed by the new government of Somaliland after President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi was sworn into office on Dec. 12, 2024, arrived in Taipei at the end of January.

In his remarks, Lin welcomed Galaal to Taiwan and said Taipei looked forward to continuing to promote bilateral collaboration in multiple fields, including education, healthcare, agriculture, information and communications, security and energy resources.

Describing Somaliland as a partner, Lin said his government was ready to assist the African territory in its development by sharing Taiwan's best practices in promoting innovative solutions, according to the release.

The release cited Galaal voicing a similar view as he pointed out Somaliland's eagerness to collaborate with Taiwan on maritime security, energy resources, technology and trade.

The envoy also thanked Taiwan for funding various projects in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland, including the expansion of the main road connecting Egal International Airport to the city center and the construction of a medical center at the Hargeisa Group Hospital.

In 2024, Taiwan committed US$1.85 million for the road project and US$22 million for the medical center.

According to MOFA, Galaal has extensive experience working in Somaliland's government.

He has headed the ministries of health, planning and national development, and served as Somaliland's ambassador to Ethiopia, MOFA said.

Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has functioned as a de facto sovereign state ever since, but is not officially recognized as a nation by any country.

Ties between Taiwan and Somaliland have warmed since the two sides set up representative offices in each other's capitals in 2020.