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. The book addresses Taiwan's early engagement with the continent and the geopolitical and economic considerations that influenced African governments in their decision-making vis-a-vis their relationship with Taipei.
Sabella Ogbobode Abidde is professor of political science and a member of the graduate faculty at Alabama State University.
Contents Preface Acknowledgments List of Abbreviations Introduction: Taiwan in Africa: The Reversal of Political and Diplomatic Fortunes and the Possibility of a Resurgence in the Twenty-First Century Part One: Taiwan in Africa: Then and Now Chapter 1:Taiwan in Africa: The Early Years and Years of Developmental Assistance Sabella Ogbobode Abidde Chapter 2: Taiwan-Africa Relations: Exploring the Changing Trends Felix Kumah-Abiwu Chapter 3: Imperialism and the Taiwan Question: The Tragedy of the United Nations and Africa's Helplessness Felix O.U Oriakhi Part Two: Diplomatic Recognition and Geopolitical Considerations Chapter 4: Taiwan's Overture to Somaliland Walters Samah Chapter 5: Taiwan and Apartheid South Africa Charmaine Pretorius Chapter 6: Taiwan's Non-formal International Engagement in the Absence of Formal International Recognition Siphamandla Zondi Part Three: Economic and Geopolitical Consideration Chapter 7: China-Taiwan Geoeconomic Competition for Diplomatic Recognition: Battling for the Soul of Africa Gorden Moyo Chapter 8: Building Capacity in Africa: An Overview of Taiwan-African Relations, 1960-1971 Alecia D. Hoffman Index About the Editor and Contributors
"Taiwan in Africa: Seven Decades of Certainty and Uncertainties offers a comprehensive exploration of the contours that characterize Taiwan's relations with, and presence in, Africa. One of the laudable virtues, and there are many, about this book is that it eschews the China-bashing that one would expect from a book that details the China-Taiwan jostle for international recognition. At the same time it, does not fall into the trap of beatifying Taiwan, despite its entrenched democracy as compared to China's equally entrenched political system. The book is a gift and a necessity for international relations scholars, academics, historians and public servants seeking to understand Taiwan's checkered history with the African continent, and the force of expediency, agency, and realism in determining a country's choice of international partners." -- Emmanuel Matambo, Centre for Africa-China Studies, University of Johannesburg "What has Taiwan done in/for Africa? What can Taiwan do in/for Africa? Taiwan in Africa: Seven Decades of Certainty and Uncertainties answers these questions in great detail. It is informative on past Taiwan-Africa relations and raises questions about future relations, considering China's current One China policy and aggression towards any country that wants to recognize or deal with Taiwan independently. This book is an easy and timely must read for anyone ignorant of Taiwan's history and impact in Africa. The book also provides enough information for a critical debate on whether Taiwan should play a greater role in global politics and economics." -- Aje-Ori Agbese, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
