U.S. Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, issued the following statement on Somaliland’s successful presidential election:

            “Congratulations to the people of Somaliland for once again conducting ‘free, fair and credible’ elections and to President-elect Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi and the Waddani Party on their victory.

            President Muse Bihi Abdi’s commitment to a peaceful transition of power helps demonstrate to the world that Somaliland remains an oasis of stability in a troubled region. 

            In addition to greater American engagement with Somaliland, it is my hope to see the new government maintain and expand its ties with Taiwan.

            Taiwan’s engagement with Somaliland presents a good governance model for all of Africa—unlike so-called engagement by Communist China, which only leaves corruption and debt bondage in its wake. Both Somaliland and Taiwan are democracies which deserve greater recognition from the global community.”

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