Taiwan's President Embarks on Historic Visit to Eswatini, Last African Ally

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has embarked on a visit to Eswatini, Taiwan's last African ally, emphasizing Taiwan's commitment to engaging with the world and being a positive force. With formal ties to only 13 countries, Taiwan's diplomatic relations are mostly limited to small, less developed nations. Tsai's visit to Eswatini, which is celebrating its 55th anniversary of independence and bilateral relations with Taiwan, highlights the close ties between the two countries. Unlike visits to Latin America that require transits via the United States, Tsai's direct flight to Eswatini avoids angering China. Taiwan has provided significant aid to Eswatini, including antiviral medication in 2021 to help King Mswati III recover from COVID-19.