ESWATINI: THE ONLY AFRICAN COUNTRY WITH TAIWANESE TIES

MBABANE – Eswatini is now the only African country with ties with Taiwan.

This follows Burkina Faso’s decision to cut ties with the self-governed Island this week. It effectively means an Africa-Taiwan summit is now difficult for the Taiwanese to host as Eswatini could be the only country in attendance.
Burkina Faso cut ties with Taiwan in favour of mainland China. Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister Alpha Barry announced the move on Thursday to reporters in the capital, Ouagadougou, saying a relationship with China would better serve the West African nation’s interests. “We want to build better partnerships for our people’s social and economic development,” said Barry. “The president gave instructions to take all the necessary measures for the closure of our embassy in Taipei and Taiwan’s embassy in our country.” Burkina Faso’s decision comes less than a month after the Dominican Republic made a similar announcement. There are now 18 nations of the world, including Eswatini, that recognise the government in Taipei, rather than Beijing. Political analysts define this move by Burkina Faso and Dominican Republic as the latest success in China’s effort to squeeze Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen.

President Tsai-ing-wen was in the country last month to attend the country’s double celebration of His Majesty’s 50th Birthday and Eswatini’s 50th Independence Anniversary. The Taiwanese president also recognised her country’s 50th diplomatic ties with the Kingdom of Eswatini. It must be said that mainland China claims sovereignty over the self-ruled democracy and threatens to invade should Taiwan ever move to formalise its independence. According to Bloomberg L.P, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu blamed China for Burkina Faso’s decision, telling reporters in Taipei that efforts to persuade countries to switch recognition to Beijing would not improve the cross-strait relationship.

The Taiwan News reported that Taiwan has lost a total of 14 diplomatic allies over the last 18 years because of pressure from China in an attempt to diminish its sovereignty, leaving the island with only 18 allies around the globe.  However, President Tsai promised to preserve the remaining alliances and not kowtow to China. Since 2001, 14 countries have cut diplomatic ties with the self-ruled island, including Macedonia (2001), Liberia (2003), Dominica (2004), Vanuatu (2004), Grenada (2005), Senegal (2005), Chad (2006), Costa Rica (2007), Malawi (2008), Gambia (2013), Sao Tome and Principe (2016), Panama (2017), Dominican Republic (2018), and Burkina Faso (2018), according to CNA. It was also reported that the reason behind diplomatic breakout was due to China’s long-term quest to isolate Taiwan on the global stage. Taiwan has accused Beijing of taking advantage of cash rewards to manipulate the diplomatic relations of Taiwan with other nations, CNA reported.

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