Taiwanese President Cancels Planned Visit to Eswatini
Lai had been scheduled to travel to Eswatini between Wednesday and Monday. The trip would have marked his second overseas visit since taking office on May 20, 2024. He previously toured the Pacific in late 2024, visiting the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau.
According to presidential office spokesperson Pan Men-an, Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar—located along the aircraft’s planned route—“unexpectedly and without justification rescinded overflight permission,” Focus Taiwan reported.
Pan did not indicate whether the visit would be rescheduled or if alternative arrangements were being considered.
Eswatini, an absolute monarchy, remains Taiwan’s only diplomatic partner in Africa and is one of just 12 countries worldwide that maintain official ties with Taipei.
China regards Taiwan as a “breakaway” province, while Taiwan has maintained its separate political status since 1949. Pan suggested the decision may be linked to Chinese influence, although Beijing has not responded to the allegation.
Over the past decade, Taiwan has seen its diplomatic allies decline from nearly 18 to 12 as several countries switched recognition to Beijing.
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