Eswatini rejects China's 'regrettable' call for citizens to leave

Eswatini's government has described China's request for its citizens to evacuate or relocate to safe zones as "regrettable." China cited a "complex" security situation in the African nation, which is Taiwan's sole diplomatic ally on the continent.

"While the Kingdom (of Eswatini, formerly Swaziland) respects the sovereign right of every state to issue consular guidance to its citizens, any suggestion that Eswatini represents an exceptional or generalized security risk is unfounded in the current security situation and is therefore regrettable," the government stated. Eswatini authorities referenced a police operation involving foreign nationals, primarily Chinese, due to alleged cybercrime activities. "The operation was detected, neutralized, and subjected to due process under Eswatini legislation. Far from demonstrating a lapse in public security, this affirms the vigilance and effectiveness of the Kingdom's police institutions," they added.

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While the Kingdom (of Eswatini, formerly Swaziland) respects the sovereign right of every state to issue consular guidance to its citizens, any suggestion that Eswatini represents an exceptional or generalized security risk is unfounded in the current security situation and is therefore regrettable.

Local media reported that 40 Chinese citizens were arrested again while attempting to leave Eswatini. They had previously been detained in March during a raid on illegal online betting centers and subsequently convicted for being in the country irregularly. On July 1, a High Court judge ordered the Minister of Home Affairs to facilitate the voluntary departure of the Chinese citizens. Despite this, their legal team reported that the citizens were detained again the following day as they tried to exit Eswatini.

The Chinese Embassy in South Africa had urged its nationals in Eswatini to leave the country due to "rampant" phone fraud, illegal online gambling, and an "extremely high" public order risk. This action follows an incident in which Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te postponed a trip to Eswatini after his presidential plane's overflight permits were revoked by Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar. Taipei attributed these revocations to alleged pressure from Beijing, part of China's diplomatic campaign to isolate Taiwan internationally.

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The operation was detected, neutralized, and subjected to due process under Eswatini legislation. Far from demonstrating a lapse in public security, this affirms the vigilance and effectiveness of the Kingdom's police institutions.