Taiwan’s leader visits Eswatini despite pressure from China to block trip
Taiwan’s leader William Lai Ching-te is visiting Eswatini, the only country in Africa that recognises Taiwan.

Taiwan’s leader William Lai Ching-te is visiting Eswatini, the only country in Africa that recognises Taiwan.





![A leader of Eswatini's pro-democracy activists speaks during their protest outside the US Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, Friday, September 19, 2025 [Themba Hadebe/AP Photo]](https://aljazeeranews.edgeone.app/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AP25262510685284-1758670416.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)

![Leaders of Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Liberia and Gabon attend a lunch hosted by US President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, DC, on July 9, 2025 [Kevin Lamarque/Reuters]](https://aljazeeranews.edgeone.app/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-07-10T142034Z_1760874113_RC25JFAQDYHC_RTRMADP_3_USA-AFRICA-LIBERIA-ENGLISH-1753454442.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
The Trump administration has pushed third-party countries to accept deportees whose home countries will not accept them.
Illegal poaching of wildlife and plants in Jilobi Forest threatens biodiversity hotspot in the Southern African kingdom.

With women killed at alarming rates in Kenya, is the government doing enough to end gender-based violence?
Activists criticise ‘sham’ parliamentary elections in the Southern African monarchy, where political parties are banned.
About 585,000 registered voters will participate in elections with MPs to play only advisory role to King Mswati III.
Tsai is visiting Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, as African country marks 55 years of independence.
Africa, which contributes just 4 percent of global CO2 emissions, will suffer the most from climate change.
China has stepped up pressure on Taiwan since Tsai Ing-wen was first elected president of the self-ruled island in 2016.
Thulani Maseko was shot dead on Saturday night by unknown attackers.
Since last May, there has been civil unrest and protests in Eswatini, one of the world’s last remaining monarchies.