Taipei, Taiwan, Feb 04, 2008 - It was the Taiwan-Africa Progressive Partnership forum, held in Taipei on the 10th September 2007 which was the first ice breaking visit from Somaliland, delegates who has represented Somaliland at the forum.

The Somaliland representatives included King Osman Aw-Mohamed Mohamed (Buurmadow) and Dr Isman H Warsame and now further visits are planned to exclusively established a bilateral relations wit Taiwan  

The forum was aimed at strengthening the African-Taiwan Partnership for sustainable development and prosperity. The forum was attended by representatives from 41 African Countries. The heads of state that led delegations to the summit were: H.E. Chen Shui-bian, President of the Republic of China (Taiwan); H.M. King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Swaziland; H.E. Blaise Compaoré, President of Burkina Faso; H.E. Fradique Bandeira Melo de Menezes, President of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe; and H.E. Bingu wa Mutharika, President of the Republic of Malawi and H.E. Mrs. Isatou Njie-Saidy, Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia.President  H.E. Chen Shui-bian, H.M. King Mswati III, .E. Fradique Bandeira Melo de Menezes, H.E. Bingu wa Mutharika and H.E. Mrs. Isatou Njie-Said. 41 African States including Somaliland
had delegates and representative attending the conference.

At the end of the Conference Group photo by the Representatives, King Buurmadow 6th from the right second row and Dr Osman 9th at the first row next to the Taiwanese Minister of foreign affairs.

The conference was seen as hugely beneficial to Africa and particularly to Somaliland, at the onset that such mutual partnership is critical for sharing experience in economic and social transformation, and hence in enhancing the welfare of Somaliland people.

Historically Somaliland has not had much cooperation with Republic of Taiwan with the exception of a health programmes executed in Hargeisa by Taiwanese NGO in Somaliland.

The issues that were discussed and deliberated at the conference were, information technology and digital innovation, business management and trade investment, hygiene and international medical cooperation, Sustainable environment , Humanitarian aid and international cooperation, agricultural technical development and transnational cooperation, the following consensuses have emerged:

In information technology and digital innovation, the Taiwanese officials made strong willingness on their part to promote cooperative partnerships with African countries due to Taiwan’s advanced information technology development. The goal is to help shorten the digital gap in Africa, and create more opportunities and growth in digital technology.

In business management and trade investment, Taiwan is willing to share its successful experience in management of small & middle-sized enterprises as well as concrete performance and professional technical development in expanding international trade and overseas investment. The goal is to realize true economic growth in Africa and to create and increase working opportunities, reduce poverty and to eradicate social injustice.

In terms of hygiene and international medical cooperation, discussions proceedings were dominated by HIV and AIDS and the development of retro-viral medication and its availability in Africa. Taiwanese government representatives pledged to share its successful experience in medicine and public hygiene. By developing medical cooperation with Africa, in order to help in the fight against the spread of AIDS as well as to promote safe sex and birth control in order to promote the political, economic, social and educational development of Africa.

Since development and environmental issues often coincide, sustainable development will be a common focal point between Taiwan and Africa. Taiwan is willing to cooperate in terms of scientific research with Africa, especially in environmental protection. Without concrete cooperation between Taiwan and Africa to prevent the further deterioration of the environment, the health and welfare of the African people will be unavoidably affected.

The fourth workshop was international humanitarian assistance to Africa via governmental development aid as well as NGOs.  The establishment of middle and long term cooperative agendas were debated, it was concluded the need for Taiwan to improve its humanitarian assistance to Africa.

Agriculture heavily featured at this conference, and in agricultural technical development and transnational cooperation, Taiwan has huge agricultural sector and Taiwan is willing to share its agricultural technology and experience in agricultural development.

The theme of the forum was towards prosperity and sustainable development which is timely and germane to Africa’s current strategic plans to move out countries out of poverty.

Somaliland’s delegation has taken Somaliland’s issue at the heart of the proceedings and workshops, furthermore, King Osman and Dr Osman Warsame have met with the Taiwanese government particularly the ministry of foreign affairs to discuss establishment of bilateral relationships between the two states. 

The Taiwanese government has agreed to take this matter forward by inviting the Somaliland delegations to visit again to Taiwan in more official state visit by representatives from the Somaliland’s foreign affairs in order to progressively strengthen this initial contact.

Finally, Taiwan is in the same situation as in Somaliland where it finds its self with no international recognition. Despite the fact of lack of recognition, Taiwan is beacon for ICT development and it is number one Chip supplier to Japan. This is an example where recognition although vital can not be an obstacle for development. Somaliland has a lot to learn from Taiwanese both technical and experience. Indeed, I shall keep you all informed about the progress of the future visits planned in order to take further this mission forward.

By Dr Osman Warsame

Source: Somaliland Times