On behalf of the Government Taiwan), I am delighted to join Mr. President today in awarding the 2025 Taiwan Security Scholarship. I would like to congratulate the 7 Somaliland receipents: Congratulation! Hambalyo！Hambalyo！Hambalyo！
I must also express my profound gratitude to the President for agreeing to host today’s ceremony. I have no doubt these young professionals all deserve the honor to receive the certificates from their Commander in Chief.
The Taiwan Security Scholarship to Somaliland is a national security capacity building initiative endorsed by USA and other like-minded partner countries. Hosted by Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense and associated schools, the program has offered acclaimed professional training to an accumulated total of NINE Somaliland military officers since its inception in 2023, including the newly appointed Military Chief of Staff, Niman Yusuf Osman, and Head of Military Operation, Mustafe Abdi Hassan.
This year, we have the pleasure to further increase the number to SEVEN, made exclusively available to Somaliland with the support of Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense, making Somaliland the biggest beneficiary nation among other partner countries. We have also convinced Taipei to expand the scope of the program, making it available to the police force and intelligence agency, in addition to the military.
The result, SEVEN military and police officers, recommended by the Somaliland government, are joining the growing family of Team Taiwan, who will be studying, respectively, in the War College, the Command and Staff College, the Naval Academy, as well as the master program by Taiwan National Defense University. I believe that one day they may follow the footstep of Commander Niman in becoming the Military Chief of Staff or Police Commissioner in the future.
This year marks the fifth anniversary of Taiwan-Somaliland relations. Throughout the past five years, the brotherly friendship between our two nations has led us to achieve many successes in many areas. It also helped strengthen the capacity of many Somaliland young talents in contributing to the development of the country.
I would like to quote what USA President John F. Kennedy said “ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country” to encourage the 2025 7 Somaliland security scholarship recipients to study hard and thirsty for knowledge, act as culture ambassadors in Taiwan and return to make great contribution to Somaliland.
Today is also the International Woman’s Day, I am glad to see 1 female military officer to study Master English Program on International Security this year. As the African proverb says” If you educate a man, you educate an individual, but if ou educate a woman, you educate a nation”. You are sure to agree that we always must empower the female officers to contribute more to Somaliland.
In closing, I wish the everlasting friendship between our two nations! I wish you all the best of health and success.
Thank you. Insha Allah
