The Somaliland Review

05/06/2026

03/06/2026

The U.S. State Department's 'Report to Congress on Potential Areas for Improved United States Engagement with Somaliland': A Significant Diplomatic Shift Toward Both Somaliland and Somalia


By Salma A. Sheikh

First, let us be clear: the State Department's Report published this week is not an advocacy paper produced by a think tank or lobbying group. Rather, it is a report submitted to the U.S. Congress pursuant to a congressional mandate. Every sentence appears carefully drafted to balance U.S. interests, international law, and political sensitivities.

What the Report is Actually Saying

The report identifies three areas where the United States sees opportunities for greater engagement with Somaliland: Security Cooperation, Diplomatic Engagement, and Trade and Investment.

The report is not a declaration of recognition for Somaliland's sovereignty. It repeatedly emphasizes that the United States recognizes the ‘sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, which includes the region of Somaliland’.

In diplomatic language, this is engagement without recognition. In an era of strategic competition among the United States, China, Western powers, and regional actors such as Iran and Turkey, realist theory suggests that states prioritize national interests and security above broader moral or legal considerations.

Security Cooperation Analysis

Of course, the strongest section of the report is the security component. It highlights the Bab al-Mandab Strait, Red Sea security, Counterterrorism, Houthi threats, and Al‑Shabaab threats as critical factors in protecting global trade and regional stability.

What Washington is signalling here is that the United States currently views Somaliland less as a political issue and more as a strategic asset.

Diplomatic Engagement Analysis

The report notes that the U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu conducts regular, periodic visits to Somaliland. This suggests that Washington considers Somaliland an important political actor and views sustained dialogue as worthwhile.

One could argue that this approach reflects Washington's effort to manage potential objections from Somalia and its supporters regarding issues of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Trade and Investment Analysis

This section is arguably the most economically significant. The report highlights Berbera Port as a potential ‘alternative to congested regional ports’ and recognizes its growing role in regional trade and logistics.

Large-scale investors generally seek international recognition, treaty protections, legal certainty, and predictable diplomatic relations before committing substantial investments.

Overall Diplomatic Assessment

In my assessment as a journalist focusing observing Somaliland’s foreign affairs, the most encouraging aspect is not recognition itself, but the fact that the U.S. Congress requested a dedicated report on Somaliland and that the U.S. government formally identified concrete areas for expanded cooperation.

What, then, is Somaliland's counter-demand for cooperating with a U.S. engagement strategy that primarily advances American interests?

Will the strategic opportunities and advantages identified in the report ultimately persuade the United States to recognize Somaliland as an independent state?

The answers to both questions are likely to emerge soon. For Somaliland policymakers, diplomats, and observers, this is a development worth watching closely.

👇🏾 The US Charge d’Affaires for US Mogadishu Embassy, Justin David, received by President of the Republic of Somaliland, Abdirahman Abdullahi for an official visit to Somaliland
(Photo by Somaliland President Office)

31/05/2026

Tafatiraha Guud ee The Somaliland Review oo wareysi siisay Saleban Saxansaxo ugana waramaysa safar shaqo oo Vishal May bartamaheedii ay ku tagtay dalka Taiwan; maxay halkaa kala soo kulantay?

30/05/2026

Taiwan’s Inclusive Democracy and One National Identity: The Foundations of Prosperity

Lessons for Somaliland’s Future

By Salma A. Sheikh

I was among fifteen international journalists invited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan to participate in the 2026 International Press Group on Taiwan’s Political and Economic Development. The delegation brought together journalists from the United States, France, Canada, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Australia, Israel, Thailand, Kosovo, and the Republic of Somaliland.

For five intensive days in Taipei, the delegation engaged with some of Taiwan’s most important national institutions. We met senior government officials, policymakers, innovators, researchers, and diplomats, including deputy ministers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The programme was rigorous, intellectually engaging, and strategically organised to expose delegates to Taiwan’s political resilience, economic transformation, technological advancement, and democratic development.

The Taiwanese officials we encountered displayed exceptional diplomatic discipline, confidence, and national pride. They answered difficult questions openly and gracefully while demonstrating an unwavering commitment to defending their country, preserving their democracy, and strengthening their place in the international community. Beyond policy and politics, what stood out most was the civility, humility, and collective national spirit visible throughout Taiwanese society.

Yet, as a journalist from Somaliland, my greatest interest was not merely Taiwan’s military preparedness or economic success. My focus was on something deeper: how inclusive democracy and a unified national identity have enabled Taiwan to transform itself into one of the world’s most advanced and respected societies.

Having spent more than a decade advocating for women’s political participation and social inclusion in Somaliland, including serving as Lead Gender Advisor at Somaliland’s House of Representatives, I continuously asked myself an important question throughout this visit:

How did Taiwan succeed in creating a democratic system where women are not symbolic participants but genuine partners in nation-building?

This question became increasingly important as we toured institution after institution. One of Taiwan’s most admirable qualities is the collective participation of its citizens in advancing national development. Democracy in Taiwan does not appear to be confined to elections alone; it is embedded in institutions, public service, innovation, and national culture.

In many of the institutions we visited, women occupied meaningful professional and leadership roles. Initially, I wondered whether these positions were merely cosmetic. However, the deeper we travelled into Taiwan’s institutional landscape, the clearer the answer became.

One of the most revealing moments came during our visit to the Taiwan Space Agency (TASA), the institution responsible for Taiwan’s space affairs and technological advancement. Established in 1991 under Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council, TASA represents one of the country’s most strategic scientific institutions.

To my surprise and admiration, seven of the ten senior management officials who received the international delegation were women. The meeting itself was led by the Deputy Director-General, Ms. Chung-Huei Vicky. These women were not ceremonial figures; they were scientists, engineers, decision-makers, and leaders shaping Taiwan’s future in science and technology.

For me, this was one of the clearest demonstrations that Taiwan’s democracy is genuinely inclusive.

Another remarkable encounter took place at the Taiwan Design Research Institute (TDRI), Taiwan’s national design and innovation institute established under the Ministry of Economic Affairs in 2020.

TDRI revealed another dimension of Taiwan’s national strategy: the deliberate use of design, innovation, and creativity to strengthen national identity and improve public life.

Taiwan does not treat design as decoration. It treats design as a strategic national instrument.

Through TDRI, Taiwan integrates design thinking into industrial innovation, transportation systems, public services, digital transformation, environmental sustainability, urban planning, branding, and international image-building. The institution brings together engineers, designers, universities, businesses, and government agencies to create practical solutions that improve citizens’ daily lives while strengthening Taiwan’s competitiveness globally.

Once again, women were visibly present throughout the institution as designers, researchers, engineers, presenters, and senior professionals. The environment reflected a society that values competence, education, and contribution over gender barriers.

The lesson became unmistakably clear: Taiwan’s extraordinary progress is not the achievement of men alone, nor of a ruling elite isolated from society. It is the result of a collective national effort in which women and men participate side by side under one national identity and one democratic vision.

Taiwan’s strength lies not only in its economy or technology, but in its ability to unite its people around a shared national purpose while allowing diverse voices to participate in shaping the nation’s future.
This is where Somaliland must pay close attention.

The Republic of Somaliland has achieved remarkable accomplishments under extremely difficult circumstances. It has built peace, stability, democratic elections, and functioning institutions without international recognition. Yet Somaliland still faces serious internal challenges related to political inclusion, social fragmentation, clan division, and the limited participation of women and young professionals in national leadership.

No nation can achieve its full potential while excluding large segments of its population from meaningful participation.

Inclusive democracy is not a Western slogan; it is a strategic necessity for national development, international legitimacy, and long-term stability.

Taiwan demonstrates that when citizens, regardless of gender or background, feel represented within national institutions, they become active stakeholders in defending and developing their country. Inclusion creates ownership. Ownership creates patriotism. Patriotism strengthens national resilience.

Similarly, a unified national identity is essential for Somaliland’s future. Taiwan’s people may hold diverse political opinions, but they share a strong sense of belonging to one Taiwan. That shared identity strengthens their institutions and protects their democracy.

Somaliland must continue building one national identity that rises above tribal, regional, and political divisions. The nation’s future should not belong to a small political class or to one segment of society. It must belong equally to all Somalilanders; women and men, youth and elders, intellectuals and entrepreneurs alike.

My visit to Taiwan was truly eye-opening. I did not merely witness technological advancement or economic success; I witnessed a nation that has invested in its people, trusted its women, strengthened its institutions, and united its citizens around a common national vision.
That is the true foundation of Taiwan’s prosperity.

My hope is that Somaliland will embrace similar principles of inclusive democracy, institutional development, and collective national identity so that our nation, too, can achieve even greater progress, international respect, and lasting prosperity alongside our great ally, Taiwan.

26/05/2026

Taiwan: A First-Class Society Built Through Resilience, Innovation, and Nation-Building

By Salma A. Sheikh

The island of Taiwan has a long and layered history shaped by indigenous civilizations, migration, colonialism, war, and modernization.

Before large-scale Chinese migration, Taiwan was home to Austronesian indigenous peoples whose descendants are culturally connected to communities across the Pacific, including the Philippines and Polynesia. These indigenous societies lived on the island for thousands of years.

During the 17th century, Taiwan experienced European colonial influence from both the Dutch and the Spanish. Later, migrants from China’s Fujian and Guangdong provinces increasingly settled on the island, particularly the Hoklo and Hakka peoples, who today form a major part of Taiwan’s ethnic composition.

In 1895, following the First Sino-Japanese War, Qing China ceded Taiwan to Japan. Japanese rule lasted until 1945 and significantly transformed Taiwan’s infrastructure, transportation, education system, and industrial foundations.

After World War II, Taiwan was placed under the administration of the Republic of China (ROC). In 1949, following the Chinese Civil War, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) was established in Beijing by the Chinese Communist Party, while the ROC government retreated to Taiwan. Since then, both governments have maintained separate political systems.

Modern Taiwan is ethnically and culturally diverse, consisting of several main groups, including Hoklo Taiwanese (the largest group), Hakka Taiwanese, Indigenous Austronesian peoples, and families who arrived from mainland China after 1949.

Over the decades, a distinct Taiwanese civic identity has emerged. Many people identify themselves culturally and politically as Taiwanese, shaped by Taiwan’s democratic development, free society, and separate historical experience from mainland China.

Today, Taiwan stands out in the region for its religious tolerance, freedom of speech, democratic elections, advances in gender equality, high educational achievements, liberal markets and free trade, advanced technology, sophisticated healthcare system, and strong civil society.

China, however, continues to claim Taiwan as part of its territory despite Taiwan exercising complete control over its own government, military, constitution, passport system, international trade relations, economy, and foreign partnerships. China has also used aggressive political and diplomatic measures to pressure Taiwan and isolate its allies.

The dispute between the two sides remains one of the world’s most sensitive geopolitical issues today.

This unresolved status has shaped Taiwan’s national strategy for decades. Faced with diplomatic isolation and military pressure, Taiwan heavily invested in areas that would ensure its survival, including advanced technology, economic strength, education, global trade integration, and democratic legitimacy.

Taiwan transformed external pressure into an opportunity for strategic strength.

Taiwan’s Nation-Building Journey

Taiwan’s transformation from an authoritarian system into one of Asia’s most vibrant democracies is central to its nation-building story.

Several key stages shaped Taiwan’s transformation:
• Land Reform and Industrialization — During the 1950s and 1960s, Taiwan implemented agricultural reforms and invested heavily in export-oriented industries.
• Education Revolution — Taiwan prioritized literacy, science, engineering, and technical education, creating a highly skilled workforce.
• Democratic Transition — Martial law ended in 1987, and Taiwan gradually evolved into a competitive multi-party democracy with peaceful transfers of power.
• Innovation Economy — Taiwan shifted from low-cost manufacturing to high-value innovation, particularly in semiconductors and electronics.

Technology as a Survival Strategy

Taiwan understood early on that technology would become its shield, influence, and economic lifeline.

The government strategically invested in semiconductor manufacturing, research institutions, engineering education, science parks, artificial intelligence, green energy, and precision manufacturing.

The most famous example is Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), which became the world’s leading semiconductor manufacturer. Many of the world’s smartphones, AI systems, computers, and advanced military technologies depend on chips produced in Taiwan.

Technological leadership gave Taiwan economic security, strategic global importance, international partnerships, and leverage in global politics. Taiwan effectively created global dependence on its technological innovation.

Taiwan’s innovation ecosystem also includes companies such as ASUS, Acer, MediaTek, and Foxconn.

Sustainability and Social Development

Taiwan’s development model is not only technological but also deeply social.

The country invested in universal healthcare, efficient public transportation, digital governance, environmental sustainability, and disaster preparedness, many of which offer valuable models that can be adapted internationally.

Taiwan is internationally admired for its clean cities, efficient infrastructure, public safety, healthcare quality, and integration of technology into daily life.

Its society combines Confucian discipline, democratic openness, modern capitalism, and technological pragmatism.

Taiwan became a first-class society not because it possessed vast territory or abundant natural resources, but because it invested in human capital, education, technological innovation, democratic institutions, and national resilience.

Despite diplomatic isolation and pressure from the People’s Republic of China, Taiwan transformed survival into a strategy of excellence. Today, it stands as one of the world’s most technologically advanced and socially organized societies — a model of how innovation, discipline, and national vision can transform a small island into a global powerhouse.

Shin Kong Life Tower in central Taipei. 👇🏾

21/05/2026

Tafatiraha Guud ee The Somaliland Review, Salma A Sheik oo casumaad rasmi ah ka heshay dawlada Taiwan si ay ugala qayb-gasho warbaahinta caalamka safar shaqo oo xaqiiqo-raadis u ah horumarka dalka Taiwan ka gaadhay dhinacyada tiknoolajiyada, difaaca, iyo dimuquraadiyada.

18/05/2026

The sky is the limit my people 😍

Madaxweynaha Israel Isaac Herzog ayaa waraaqihii safiirnimo ka guddoomay Danjiraha idman ee Somaliland u fadhiyi doono Talabiib Dr Maxamed Xaaji kaas oo noqonaya Safiirkii koowaad ee rasmi ah ee dal xubin ka ah Qaramada Midoobay ku meteli doona Somaliland.

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