By Peter Kenworthy, 6 February
2020
Western countries have not
exerted much pressure on Swaziland’s absolute monarchy to rectify its lack
of democracy and human rights. Neither has another democracy, the People’s
Republic of China, more commonly known as Taiwan. A country with whom Swaziland
(renamed Eswatini by King Mswati III in 2018) – as the only country In Africa –
has diplomatic ties with, writes Peter Kenworthy for
Afrika Kontakt.
The UN has not recognized
Taiwan since it switched its diplomatic recognition to China in 1971.
In a statement on Swaziland-Taiwan
relations from July 2019, government spokesperson Percy Simelane spoke of the
“unbroken diplomatic relations” between the two countries, since Swaziland’s
independence in 1968.
- This relationship is
based on mutual respect, friendship and loyalty … Our commitment to strong
diplomatic ties with Taiwan remains unshaken and enduring, he added.
Swaziland has thus far
decided to stay loyal to its relationship with Taiwan, says Swazi political
activist and former president of the Swaziland Youth Congress, Bheki Dlamini.
Dlamini, who has a degree
in public administration from the University of Bergen, adds that China
has been turning a blind eye to Swaziland’s support of Taiwan, and Taiwan’s aid
and donations to Swaziland. But that the few other states that had diplomatic
relations with Taiwan – such as Burkina Faso and the Gambia – have severed
their ties with the island state.
- Swaziland has not been
persuaded otherwise, but remains committed to Taiwan. Until recently, China has
not publicly denounced the Taiwan-Swaziland relationship. In a turn of events
China is now denying visas to people from Swaziland, he says.
Win-win or
Catch 22?
In a statement, the Chinese
ambassador to South Africa says:
- Since 10 January,
some Eswatini people realized that all the Embassies and Consulate-Generals of
the people’s Republic of China (PRC), except the Embassy of China to Pretoria,
have been closed for Eswatini citizens to apply for visas to mainland China,
which will cripple their business and the country’s economy development.
- Such an embarrassing
situation is the result of Eswatini defying the One-China Principle and
maintaining so-called “diplomatic ties” with the Taiwan authorities … It is the
right time for the Eswatini government and people to make a right choice for
win-win cooperation, the letter adds.
Bheki Dlamini believes that
Swaziland is thus in something of a Catch 22-situation, regarding Chinese
pressure.
- The free lunch from
Taiwan is good for the royal family, which has the luxury of behaving like
Taiwan’s spoilt child. But Taiwan needs Swaziland more than China needs
Swaziland. If Swaziland dumps Taiwan for China, the monarchy will lose the
financial and political benefits it reaps from Taiwan. However, going with
China might be no guarantee that China will supersede Taiwan in development aid
and donation to Swaziland, Dlamini says.
- But this will certainly
benefit ordinary Swazis who want to explore business, educational and other
opportunities offered by China. Can the monarchy truly withstand pressure from
China and for how long? The monarchy is used to Swaziland getting away from any
form of international scrutiny because of size, be it on human rights or
democracy. However, I doubt it will escape the Chinese pressure, he adds.
See also
China
closes embassies to Swazi people to force kingdom to drop support for Taiwan
Swaziland calls on UN to admit Taiwan
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