Taiwan has denounced Somalia’s decision to bar travelers holding Taiwanese passports from entering or transiting through the country, saying airlines have been instructed to enforce the restriction.

According to Taiwan’s foreign ministry, the ban took effect Wednesday following a directive issued by Somali aviation authorities last week.

Somalia has not publicly commented on the ban, which comes amid growing ties between Taiwan and Somaliland—a self-declared state that broke away from Somalia over three decades ago but lacks broad international recognition.

In 2020, Taiwan and Somaliland opened reciprocal representative offices, a step that drew criticism from both China and Somalia.

Somalia's civil aviation authority notified airlines that Taiwanese passports will "no longer be valid for entry into or transit through the Federal Republic of Somalia," beginning April 30, Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said in a statement late Tuesday.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly protested Somalia's action made under the instigation of China to restrict the travel freedom and safety of Taiwanese nationals and has demanded that the Somali government immediately revoke the notice," said a Ministry announcement.

It further warned Taiwanese residents not to travel to Somalia or Somaliland for their own safety until Somalia lifted the restriction, according to Taiwanese media.

Neither Somaliland nor Somalia has commented.

China expresses support for ban on Taiwanese passports

China has praised Somalia’s passport ban on Taiwanese travelers, calling it a “legitimate measure” that demonstrates Somalia’s strong commitment to the one-China principle, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters on Wednesday, according to AFP.

While Taiwan operates under its own constitution and holds democratic elections, China views the island as part of its territory and has not ruled out using force for reunification.

Taiwan is recognized by only a small number of countries.

Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991 after the fall of General Mohamed Siad Barre’s regime, is not officially recognized by any sovereign nation.

Somalia considers Somaliland part of its national territory and responded angrily last year when Ethiopia signed a port lease agreement with Somaliland’s authorities—a dispute that was only resolved through Turkish mediation.