Is China Exerting Pressure Behind the Scenes? Four African Countries Have Restricted Taiwan's Entry This Year — MOFA: Continuing Active Negotiations

As China's influence across the African continent continues to grow, a series of unfriendly measures targeting Taiwan have emerged — from South Africa and Central African Cameroon to East African Kenya, North African Morocco, and neighboring Uganda. These include restrictions on visas and entry for Taiwanese nationals. In response, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Asia-Africa Division Director Yen Chia-liang stated on the 11th that several African countries have recently implemented unilateral and unfriendly policies toward Taiwan. MOFA will continue to actively negotiate through appropriate channels and urges citizens to stay informed about policy changes before traveling.

In late March, Cameroon downgraded Taiwan's status in its visa waiver program, forcing Taiwan to miss a WTO ministerial meeting for the first time in 25 years. Then, in late April, President Lai Ching-te's planned visit to Eswatini was disrupted when three East African island nations abruptly revoked flight permissions for his special aircraft, delaying the trip until early May, when he eventually traveled aboard the Eswatini king's plane.

In June, during the 'Our Ocean Conference' (OOC) in Kenya, Taiwanese scholars were denied entry, and their passports and mobile phones were detained for over 20 hours. By late July, Morocco unexpectedly instructed all its overseas embassies to suspend applications for the 'Visa Confirmation Letter' (VCL), blocking a key pathway for Taiwanese citizens — who cannot apply for Morocco's e-visa — to obtain VCLs via the Moroccan Embassy in Japan for short-term business or travel.

In early August, two Taiwanese passport holders were detained at Ugandan airports, had their passports seized, were denied entry, and were deported on the same flights.

Uganda's Entry Denial Linked to China? Yen: 'One China' Compliance Cannot Be Ruled Out

MOFA held a regular press briefing on the 11th, with the West Asia and Africa Division providing updates and responding to media inquiries. Yen Chia-liang noted that MOFA received reports of two Taiwanese citizens being detained and denied entry at Ugandan airports. The ROC Representative Office in Somaliland, which oversees Ugandan affairs, immediately coordinated with the Taiwan Business Association in Uganda to assist. One citizen has since departed, while the other remains under support. MOFA continues to engage with Ugandan authorities and provide necessary assistance and care to affected individuals.

Notably, MOFA previously suggested the incident might relate to Taiwan's temporary suspension of visa issuance and entry for Ugandan nationals starting June 2 due to rising Ebola cases. However, Yen clarified that while this explanation was initially heard, subsequent information indicates different factors. MOFA is still investigating the exact cause but cannot rule out that Uganda adjusted its policy toward Taiwan in alignment with Beijing's 'One China Principle.' Taiwan's temporary防疫 measures will be reviewed in a meeting by the end of the month.

Yen: Morocco's Suspension Affects More Than Taiwan — Cause Still Unclear

Regarding Morocco's global suspension of VCL applications, MOFA announced on July 30 that, based on reciprocity, it would suspend visa applications for Moroccan nationals. Yen further explained that special case approvals for Moroccans entering Taiwan would be granted for four reasons: family reunions (visiting or joining relatives), students pursuing degrees in Taiwan under government policy, official visits by invitation, and medical treatment.

When asked whether MOFA had identified Morocco's motives or if recent African actions were coordinated under Chinese pressure, Yen responded that the VCL program applies not only to Taiwan but also to countries like Iran and Kosovo, making it difficult to conclude it targets Taiwan specifically. However, Taiwan is the largest source of visitors to Morocco among affected countries, and Taiwanese citizens are indeed unable to travel. Hence, MOFA implemented reciprocal measures, urging Morocco to recognize bilateral needs promptly.

Regarding Kenya's earlier threats to block Taiwanese passports, Yen stated that Kenya's e-visa system remains operational, and Taiwanese nationals can still apply and enter successfully. For other countries like Uganda, MOFA continues to investigate and communicate regarding new policies. Yen emphasized that several African nations have recently adopted unfriendly, unilateral visa and entry restrictions toward Taiwan. MOFA will continue active negotiations through like-minded partners and appropriate channels, while reminding citizens to monitor policy changes before travel.