IN a significant diplomatic move, Eswatini’s Foreign Minister Pholile Shakantu, the only formal diplomatic ally of Taiwan in Africa, has arrived in Taiwan for a five-day visit, as announced by Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
During her visit from January 31 to February 4, Shakantu and her delegation have scheduled meetings with President Tsai Ing-wen and President-elect Lai Ching-te, emphasising the enduring diplomatic ties between the two nations, as outlined in a press release from MOFA.
A notable event on the agenda is a banquet hosted by Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu, where a communiqué reaffirming the robust relations between Eswatini and Taiwan will be signed, further solidifying their diplomatic connection.
Beyond diplomatic engagements, the delegation will explore collaborations with Taiwanese government agencies involved in digital affairs, energy, culture, and information technology. Additionally, representatives from Taiwanese companies interested in investing in Eswatini will meet with the visiting delegation.
While the specifics of the visit’s mission were not explicitly outlined by MOFA, the trip is deemed significant in light of China’s persistent efforts to undermine Taiwan’s global alliances.
Foreign Minister Shakantu, who assumed her role in November 2023, is accompanied by her husband Michelo Shakantu and one of her deputies, Vulindlela Kunene.
Eswatini stands as Taiwan’s only ally on the continent and one of just 12 countries globally formally recognising the Republic of China, Taiwan’s official name. The visit is seen as a testament to Eswatini’s unwavering support for bilateral relations amid geopolitical challenges.