China’s interference in Taiwan state visit to Eswatini shows staggering influence over African nations

Published April 24, 2026 6:00am ET



The United States and Taiwan are raising alarm over China’s capacity to disrupt international diplomacy after Beijing-aligned client states decided to keep Taiwan’s president out of Africa.

President William Lai was blocked from travelling to Eswatini this week after China allegedly pressured three African nations — Mauritius, Madagascar, and Seychelles — to deny airspace access to the president’s plane.

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