TaiwanICDF Statement Clarifying Inaccurate Reporting in The Diplomat’s Article “The Ugly Side of Eswatini-Taiwan Relations”

(中央社訊息服務20260423 17:39:00)In response to the article titled “The Ugly Side of Eswatini–Taiwan Relations” by James Baron, published on 22 April on The Diplomat website, the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) issues the following clarification. The report draws inaccurate links between the TaiwanICDF and alleged labour-related incidents in certain projects, creating a misleading impression that risks damaging TaiwanICDF’s reputation. To set the record straight, the Taiwan Technical Mission（TTM） in the Kingdom of Eswatini has formally written to The Diplomat requesting a correction and the clarification of these mischaracterisations.

The "Taiwan-Africa Vegetable Initiative" (TAVI) mentioned in the article is an initiative implemented by the World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg). It is not a collaborative project jointly contracted or executed by the TTM in Eswatini and WorldVeg. Furthermore, the personnel mentioned in the article are not employees of the TaiwanICDF or the TTM.

The TaiwanICDF remains committed to upholding the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct in all of its international cooperation efforts. Regarding the article’s references to TaiwanICDF made without prior fact-checking or any attempt to verify the information with TaiwanICDF, which have consequently harmed its reputation, the TaiwanICDF has not only issued a formal request for correction through our TTM Leader in Eswatini, but also expressly reserves the right to pursue legal action.