Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has called off a scheduled visit to Eswatini after Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar revoked overflight permits for his presidential aircraft. The cancellations occurred without prior notice, according to Taiwanese officials, who attributed the move to pressure from China. The trip, intended to strengthen ties with one of Taiwan's few remaining diplomatic allies in Africa, was set to include a stopover in the South Pacific before reaching Eswatini. Taiwanese foreign ministry spokesperson Joel Lee confirmed the permit withdrawals and stated that the government was "deeply disappointed" by the sudden decisions. Lai had been expected to travel aboard Taiwan's specially modified Boeing 737, which requires overflight permissions when crossing international airspace near African territories. Eswatini remains one of only two African countries that officially recognises Taiwan over China, the other being eSwatini's neighbour, though no longer a diplomatic partner, Burkina Faso previously switched recognition to Beijing in 2018. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and opposes any official engagement between Taiwan and other nations.
Lai Ching-te's cancelled trip exposes the shrinking space for Taiwan's international mobility despite Eswatini's continued diplomatic recognition. The abrupt withdrawal of overflight permits by Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar underscores how economic leverage can override formal diplomatic protocols. Nigerian officials who engage with both Beijing and Taipei may find their own diplomatic margins tightening under similar pressures. This incident offers a glimpse into the quiet but growing constraints on sovereign choices in Africa's airspace.
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