Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen has announced plans to visit Eswatini, the country’s only remaining African ally, in an effort to bolster their bilateral relations. During her trip, which will take place from 5 to 7 September, President Tsai will participate in celebrations commemorating Eswatini’s independence day and King Mswati III’s birthday. This visit also marks the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations.
It is important to note that Taiwan is seen by China as a part of its territory and is not recognized as a sovereign state with the right to engage in official diplomatic relations. Currently, Taiwan maintains formal diplomatic relations with just 13 countries, including Eswatini.
In response to queries from journalists, Taiwan’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Roy Lee, emphasized that President Tsai’s visit is not intended to compete with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to neighboring South Africa. This highlights Taiwan’s commitment to its ally while also maintaining a respectful stance towards regional diplomatic engagements.
This upcoming visit will be President Tsai’s second to Eswatini, with her previous visit taking place in 2018. Eswatini remains a steadfast ally of Taiwan in Africa, as it is the only African country that has not switched its diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China since Burkina Faso did so in May 2018.
Overall, this visit by President Tsai Ing-wen underscores Taiwan’s dedication to nurturing its relationships with its allies and showcases the importance it places on maintaining multilateral partnerships in the international arena.
Written by Jide Johnson for Media Talk Africa.
