Mbabane- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has clarified the circumstances surrounding the departure of former Taiwan Ambassador Jeremy Liang, saying his exit from Eswatini was part of the normal diplomatic process.
This follows remarks by Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini during a podcast on the Kingdom Online platform, suggesting that Liang’s departure came against the backdrop of a fallout between the two after the ambassador was allegedly called to order over remarks concerning the Kingdom.
However, when sought to clarify the premier’s claims by this publication, the ministry’s Communications Officer, Sikhumbuzo Bhembe, said the ambassador had simply reached the end of his tour of duty. “As far as we understand, the Ambassador had come to the end of his tour of duty and that is a normal thing in diplomacy,” Bhembe said.
Liang left Eswatini in July 2026 after serving as Taiwan’s ambassador to the Kingdom, bringing to an end his diplomatic assignment. In the podcast, Dlamini alleged that Liang had spoken ill of Eswatini during a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office and that he subsequently became angry when called to order.
“He got furious and he chose to fight with the PM,” the Prime Minister said. Dlamini further alleged that following the confrontation, Liang formed a caucus against him and that articles were subsequently published which he felt tainted his image.
Despite the alleged fallout, Dlamini was categorical that the incident did not affect Eswatini’s diplomatic relations with Taiwan. “The policy of the government has not changed,” he said. The Prime Minister also pointed to Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s visit to Eswatini earlier this year as evidence that relations between the two countries remained intact.
Lai visited the Kingdom during celebrations marking His Majesty King Mswati III’s 58th birthday and 40 years on the throne.The contrasting accounts have now raised questions over how diplomatic representatives leave their posts and whether Liang’s departure was purely a routine conclusion to his assignment or was influenced by the tensions disclosed by the Prime Minister.
Eswatini remains Taiwan’s only diplomatically in Africa, with the two countries maintaining longstanding relations characterized by development cooperation, technical assistance and various support programs.
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