Taiwanese authorities reacted strongly after three Indian Ocean countries refused President Lai Ching-te permission to fly over their territory .
This trip was intended to allow him to visit Eswatini from April 22nd to 26th, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III's accession to the throne, as well as his 58th birthday. Taipei denounces intense pressure, particularly of an economic nature.
In a statement, Taiwan's Presidential Office Secretary Pan Meng-an said that the decision by Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar came without prior notice and resulted from strong pressure from China, including economic coercion.
Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory and firmly opposes any participation by the island in international organizations, as well as its official relations with other states. Taipei, for its part, denounces this as unjustified interference.
Pan Meng-an also condemned the "unprecedented" action, arguing that it forces third-party countries to alter sovereign decisions. He asserted that this situation undermines aviation safety, violates international norms, and constitutes blatant interference in the internal affairs of other countries, while also disrupting regional stability and offending the Taiwanese people.
Eswatini is now Taiwan's only diplomatic ally in Africa, since Burkina Faso recognized China in 2018. The last visit by a Taiwanese leader to the kingdom was in 2023, when former President Tsai Ing-wen visited.
