Taiwan in Africa

Seven Decades of Certainty and Uncertainties

Sabella Ogbobode Abidde

• Publisher: Lexington Books
• Year: 2022
• Edition: 1
• eBook ISBN:
  9781978773868
• Topic: Politics & International Relations
• Subtopic: African Politics
• Index: Politics & International Relations

While China's role and place in Africa has garnered a lot of scholarly attention—be it praise or condemnation—not much has been written about Taiwan's role and place on the continent even though Taiwan was a major player and partner in Africa's quest for growth and development. From the 1960s to 1971, more African countries had diplomatic relations with Taiwan as opposed to China. But less than five decades after the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 was passed, there has been a reversal of fortune in terms of supremacy and diplomatic recognition with only one country, Eswatini, recognizing Taiwan as an independent country. Taiwan in Africa: Seven Decades of Certainty and Uncertainties, edited by Sabella Ogbobode Abidde, addresses gaps in academic literature regarding Taiwan's engagement with states and societies on the continent. This book examines international political economy, international security, the history of modern Africa, and geopolitical pressures and conflict. It addresses Taiwan's early engagement with the continent and the geopolitical and economic considerations that influenced African governments in their decision-making vis-à-vis their relationship with Taipei.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Contents
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• List of Abbreviations
• Introduction
• Part I: Taiwan in Africa
• Chapter 1: Taiwan in Africa: The Early Years and Years of Developmental Assistance
• Chapter 2: Taiwan-Africa Relations: Exploring the Changing Trends
• Chapter 3: Imperialism and the Taiwan Question: The Tragedy of the United Nations and Africa’s Helplessness
• Part II: Diplomatic Recognition and Geopolitical Considerations
• Chapter 4: Taiwan’s Overture to Somaliland
• Chapter 5: Taiwan and Apartheid South Africa
• Chapter 6: Taiwan’s Non-Formal International Engagement in the Absence of Formal International Recognition
• Part III: Economic and Geopolitical Consideration
• Chapter 7: China-Taiwan Geoeconomic Competition for Diplomatic Recognition: Battling for the Soul of Africa
• Chapter 8: Building Capacity in Africa: An Overview of Taiwan-African Relations, 1960–1971
• Index
• About the Editor and Contributors