For its autocratic African ally, Taiwan bites its tongue and opens its wallet
Eswatini probably does not register on most people’s mental maps. Its relatively recent name might sound unfamiliar as many people still know it as Swaziland. That it demands attention from pundits like yours truly has much to do with it being the only African country that still formally recognises Taiwan. It is also the continent’s only absolute monarchy. The two facts are closely connected.…
Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is an African nation that remains one of the few to formally acknowledge Taiwan. The small absolute monarchy, home to about 1.2 million people, has maintained ties with Taiwan since its independence from Britain in 1968. King Mswati III, the son of the first post-independence ruler and one of his 70 wives, has ruled the kingdom for over four decades.
The relationship between the two nations has been characterized by mutual dependence, with Taiwan providing significant aid and investment while eSwatini relies heavily on Taiwan's financial support. In 2023, human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko was killed in his home by eSwatini's security forces, an incident for which Taiwan remained silent, drawing criticism.
Despite condemnation from major governments, Taiwan's pledge of NT$637 million (US$19.6 million) for reconstruction after massive protests in 2021 came under scrutiny as complicity in the suppression of democratic demands. Recently, Taiwanese leader William Lai visited eSwatini, marking the 40th year of the king's reign. However, the visit was called off following diplomatic pressure from neighboring countries, and Lai arrived only after the king's private jet landed.
This visit was followed by a week-long state visit by Mswati, cementing further aid and investment in various sectors. Taiwan's Export-Import Bank is financing a US$300 million strategic fuel reserve facility for eSwatini, while Beijing's PowerChina subsidiary is constructing the Mpakeni Dam, providing critical water resources to eSwatini.
Despite the absence of diplomatic relations, China has established trade and infrastructure ties with eSwatini through the African Development Bank. While Taiwan's actions are often defended as a fight for survival against a giant authoritarian neighbor, the reality is that the country's democratic stature is questionable, with none of the 12 states that still recognize Taiwan qualifying as a full democracy.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
