July 6, 2021
no.119
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in the Kingdom of Eswatini have been closely monitoring developments after the unrest that broke out on June 28 in Eswatini. MOFA regrets and expresses condolences for the unfortunate incidents of arson and looting that have followed.
The embassies and missions of Taiwan, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union in Eswatini released a joint statement on July 4 welcoming the dispatch of the Troika from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ for Politics, Defence and Security and supporting its objective to facilitate broad and open dialogue. The statement urged all stakeholders to respect fundamental freedoms and the rule of law as they work to resolve the situation peacefully and productively. Denouncing the use of violence, the statement called for offenders to be investigated and prosecuted according to the law.
In a telephone conversation with Chief Mgwagwa Gamedze, Chief Executive Officer at the King’s Office, on July 5, Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu said that Taiwan was glad to see that Eswatini had invited regional organizations, including the SADC, to visit Eswatini and conduct investigations. Minister Wu said he believed that through constructive dialogue, stability would quickly return to Eswatini, and he thanked the Eswatini government for deploying police forces to ensure the safety of Taiwanese nationals in the country. He reiterated that Taiwan would continue to engage in mutually beneficial cooperation with the Eswatini government via social reconstruction and antipandemic work.
The Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Kingdom of Eswatini established diplomatic relations in 1968. Taiwan promotes the development of the national economy and people’s livelihoods through the operation of medical and technical missions, assisting Eswatini’s development in such areas as public health and medicine, agriculture, education, and ICT. The government of Taiwan has also promoted long-term rural electrification and water supply projects and drawn on the strengths of Taiwan’s private sector to provide free medical treatment and donate supplies, improving the quality of life for vulnerable sections of the population. These actions have received much praise from the government and people in Eswatini. Taiwan will continue to deepen its ties in all sectors with Eswatini through the Taiwan model and in the spirit of cooperation. (E)