US Reps Tiffany and Ogles Warn Somalia: Reverse Passport Decision or Face Consequences, Labeling it China's Puppet
Foreign Ministry initiates measures to combat China's strategic use of legal means for political advantage
By Fan Wei-li / Staff reporter
Somalia's decision to ban Taiwanese passport holders from entering or transiting within its borders has sparked a strong response from the US, with representatives Tom Tiffany and Andy Ogles sending a threatening letter to the Somalian ambassador to the US.
The lawmakers are none too pleased with Mogadishu's move, viewing it as a blatant act of capitulation to Chinese pressure. In their letter, they warn of severe repercussions for Somalia, including a potential diplomatic break.
The ministry of foreign affairs in Taiwan is also up in arms over Somalia's decision, with one official stating that it violates universal values of personal freedom. The ministry has urged Taiwan's allies, like-minded countries, and the International Civil Aviation Organization to take action and stand up for Taiwan.
Somalia gave the reason for its action as Taiwan's planned delegation to Somaliland, a region that it considers part of its own territory, breaching its sovereignty[4]. However, the US reps urge Somalia to reconsider its decision to avoid these consequences.
What consequences does Somalia face? If it fails to reverse its decision, the US could:
- Revoke Temporary Protected Status for Somali citizens in the US and repatriate them[1][3].
- Suspend all US visa issuances to Somali nationals and invalidate Somali passports[1][2].
- Freeze bilateral aid, close Somalia's embassy in Washington, expel its staff, and potentially sever diplomatic ties[1][3].
- Consider a complete diplomatic break, arguing that Somalia's actions negate its legitimacy as a US partner[3].
The US representatives' move follows China's consistent attempt to distort UN Resolution 2758 in order to constraint Taiwan's international space. Last year, the South African government even used the resolution as a reason to force Taiwan's representative office out of Pretoria[5]. Nevertheless, Taiwan stood firm, and the office is still operating today.
The Taiwanese government will continue to rally support from international entities and work to counter China's ambition to undermine Taiwan's international status.
Lin Chia-lung, Taiwan's minister of foreign affairs, has issued orders to establish a response task force to counter the "new type of suppression" from China.
Image source: Taipei Times
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-representatives-warn-somalia-republic-china-passport-move-could-result-consequences-2022-05-26/[2] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-representatives-tell-somalia-republic-china-passport-ban-would-tarnish-its-legitimacy-2022-05-26/[3] https://news.yahoo.com/us-lawmakers-threaten-sanctions-against-somalia-over-taiwan-passport-ban-181716995.html[4] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/5/26/somalia-bans-air-travel-for-taiwan-passport-holders-over-former-colony-claim[5] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-57392020
- The US representatives Tom Tiffany and Andy Ogles have warned Somalia that if it doesn't reverse its decision to ban Taiwanese passport holders, the US could revoke Temporary Protected Status for Somali citizens in the US and repatriate them.
- In addition, the US could suspend all US visa issuances to Somali nationals and invalidate Somali passports.
- The US could also freeze bilateral aid, close Somalia's embassy in Washington, expel its staff, and potentially sever diplomatic ties.
- The US representatives' move follows China's consistent attempt to distort UN Resolution 2758, which could lead to a complete diplomatic break.
- Taiwan's minister of foreign affairs, Lin Chia-lung, has issued orders to establish a response task force to counter the "new type of suppression" from China in the context of politics, policy-and-legislation, general-news, and crime-and-justice, particularly war-and-conflicts and migration.
