Taipei: The Presidential Office has firmly rejected a report from a Mauritian media outlet alleging that Mauritius never granted an overflight permit for President Lai Ching-te's now-canceled trip to Eswatini. The office labeled the report as "rumor-mongering."
According to Focus Taiwan, President Lai was set to depart on Wednesday for Eswatini, Taiwan's only diplomatic ally in Africa. The journey was called off after Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar unexpectedly withdrew overflight permissions for Lai's chartered plane, citing "strong pressure" from China as the reason, explained Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Men-an on Tuesday.
National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu stated that the Taiwanese government had initially secured overflight clearance from all concerned nations. However, the three African countries rescinded the permissions recently and without explanation.
The accounts from Taiwanese officials contrast with a Wednesday report by Mauritian media outlet L'Express. The report, referencing an unnamed source, claimed that no authorization had been granted by Mauritian authorities. Additionally, the outlet quoted an adviser from Mauritius' Prime Minister's Office, who emphasized the importance of maintaining good Sino-Mauritian relations.
At an event in Taipei on Saturday, Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo responded to the claim, asserting that the airline operating Lai's flight had completed all necessary overflight permit procedures for Mauritius and other countries as early as mid-April. She dismissed the claims of not applying for or receiving permissions as "untrue."
Kuo also criticized any attempts to involve a third country under Beijing's pressure to fabricate stories, noting that such actions are "highly inappropriate and clearly rumor-mongering."
In another statement made in Taipei the same day, Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi reassured the public that Taiwan's diplomatic relations with Eswatini remain strong. Chen highlighted the Chinese Communist Party's influence in Africa and described Taiwan's enduring friendship with Eswatini as highly valuable.
Chen expressed regret over President Lai's inability to visit Eswatini due to Chinese pressure but reiterated that Taiwan remains committed to supporting its African ally.