Somalia has officially banned the entry and transit of travelers holding Taiwanese passports, aligning itself with the “One China” principle upheld by Beijing, which considers Taiwan part of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
The Somali government announced changes to its e-visa application system, removing “Taiwan” from the list of selectable nationalities and replacing it with “China.” This adjustment effectively blocks Taiwanese citizens from applying for visas to Somalia.
With this move, Somalia joins a growing number of countries that have adopted stricter measures toward Taiwan . According to Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the number of countries granting visa-free or preferential entry to Taiwanese passport holders has dropped to 150—down from 171 at the end of 2023.
MOFA has strongly protested Somalia’s decision, which took effect Wednesday, saying it marks a setback for Taiwan’s international mobility and a further example of China’s expanding influence on global travel policies.
By @Abdikarindahirr.
About The Author
