Somaliland marked the relocation of its representative office in Taiwan on Friday, June 12, with officials from both sides saying the move reflects strengthening ties. The office relocated from Taipei's Neihu District to the Diplomatic Quarter in the Tianmu neighborhood of Shilin District, a building that also houses the embassies of most of Taiwan’s official diplomatic allies.

Somaliland’s Representative to Taiwan Mahmoud Adam Jama Galaal spoke at a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Taiwan Deputy Foreign Minister François Wu (吳志中), diplomats, business representatives, and members of the media.

Ambassador Galaal thanked Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry for helping facilitate the relocation, saying the new site is “especially appropriate” for “engagement, cooperation, and the daily conduct of diplomatic affairs.”

Deputy Foreign Minister Wu said the office’s new location “symbolizes the staunch and cordial ties between our nations.”

Taiwan and Somaliland established representative offices in 2020 based on shared values of freedom, democracy, and human rights, Wu said, adding that cooperation in agriculture, health care, information and communications technology, humanitarian aid, trade, energy, minerals, and infrastructure had expanded since then.

Somaliland, a self-governing state of about 6 million people in East Africa, declared independence from Somalia in 1991. Israel recognized Somaliland as a sovereign state in December 2025, but most of the international community does not recognize its independence. Beijing has repeatedly backed Somalia’s claim over Somaliland and has criticized Somaliland’s ties with Taiwan.

In a joint media interview, Galaal said Somaliland’s main political parties were united in rejecting political pressure from China. “We have the right to choose who we have relationships with. It’s our prerogative,” he said.

Galaal said Somaliland expects more international recognition, but suggested that recognition is not the only measure of progress.

“Look at Taiwan and the progress it’s made with limited recognition. I believe if you recognize yourself, you have your principles, and you know where you want to go politically and diplomatically, I think you can flourish,” he said.