Gambia severs diplomatic ties with Taiwan

(Visiting Gambian President Yahya Jammeh (R) is seen being accompanied by his Taiwanese counterpart, Ma Ying-jeou, during a welcoming ceremony in Taipei on April 21, 2009) 

(AFP Photo/Patrick Lin)

Gambia has announced that it has cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan. President Yahya Jammeh's office said the move was for reasons of “national strategic interest”, without elaborating. Despite the announcement, Mr Jammeh said Gambia hoped to “remain friends” with the Taiwanese people. “We are proud that we have been a very strong and reliable partner of the Republic of China [Taiwan] for the past 18 years, the results of which are there for every Taiwanese to see.”

Taiwan said it was surprised by Gambia's decision. “Our government express shock and regret that Gambian President Yahya Jammeh sent a letter to our embassy in Gambia on 14 November to inform us [of] the immediate termination of ties,” Vice Foreign Minister Simon Ko said in Taipei. “We think this is Jammeh's personal decision,” he added. Taipei sent two senior diplomats to Gambia in an attempt to rescue the relationship, but their request to meet Jammeh was twice rejected, foreign ministry officials said.

In the meantime, China responded by saying that Taiwan has no right to diplomatic recognition as it is an inalienable part of China. China and Taiwan split in 1949, when the Chinese Communist Party overthrew the Republic of China (ROC) and founded the People's Republic on the mainland, forcing the ROC government to retreat to Taiwan.

The West African state was one of a few African countries to recognise Taiwan. Initially, most African states recognised the Taipei government but their number has steadily declined. Correspondents say it is unclear if the move is linked to the development of relations with China, which has a growing influence in Africa. Last week, officials in Sao Tome and Principe said China plans to open a trade mission to promote projects there. In the past, China has been investing heavily in Africa at it relies on the continent for oil and other natural resources.

Gambia's decision means that Swaziland, Sao Tome and Principe and Burkina Faso are the only African countries that remain allies with Taiwan. Taiwan is now recognised by just 22 countries, mostly developing nations in Africa, Latin America and the Pacific.