In April of this year, Seychelles unexpectedly revoked the flight clearance for a special aircraft carrying Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, which led to a delay in his planned visit to Eswatini, known as Swaziland in some circles. Former Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan expressed in a recent interview that the cancellation of the flight permit is a “complete mistake” and a clear indication of interference from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). He emphasized the need for a strong condemnation of such actions, expressing hope that incidents like this would never occur again.
Wavel Ramkalawan served as the President of Seychelles from 2020 to 2025. He recently visited Taiwan to participate in the 65th conference of the International Alliance of Liberties and took the opportunity to share his views during an interview.
According to plans, President Lai was set to visit Eswatini at the end of April; however, due to the sudden revocation of flight permissions by Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar, his itinerary faced a setback. Subsequently, President Lai managed to reach Eswatini aboard a special flight from the King of Eswatini, allowing him to continue with his important diplomatic mission. In Ramkalawan’s words, the flight’s passage through airspace should not be politicized, regardless of who happens to be on board.
In May, during a press conference, Seychelles’ current President Patrick Herminie acknowledged the intervention and reversed the initial granting of flight clearance to President Lai. Ramkalawan articulated that he views this action as a fundamental error, indicating that Seychelles had failed to adhere to international civil aviation regulations and instead allowed political motivations to interfere with protocol. This misstep has tarnished Seychelles’ reputation on the global stage.
Ramkalawan remarked that the decision to cancel the flight clearance for Taiwan’s President was not only poor but highly disrespectful. He noted that the citizens of Seychelles were deeply dissatisfied with this action, and members of his political party shared similar sentiments. He believes this incident should be condemned harshly and hopes for a future where such occurrences do not arise.
When discussing the underlying motives behind the cancellation, Ramkalawan pointed to the CCP as the principal orchestrator. He expressed confidence that China also influenced the decisions made by Mauritius and Madagascar concerning this matter.
He stated that his assessment is strengthened by his own experience visiting Taiwan, during which he faced inquiries and concerns from the Chinese ambassador to Seychelles regarding the purpose of his trip. “What right does the CCP have to question my actions? This is simply unacceptable,” he declared.
Reflecting on his visit to Taiwan—his second trip to the island—Ramkalawan praised Taiwan’s impressive economic performance, particularly in the semiconductor industry, which he viewed as critical to understanding global trends in the future. He believes that there is substantial potential for cooperation between Taiwan and Seychelles in fields such as fisheries, agriculture, and youth education exchanges.
According to a report from Seychelles News Agency, the country’s current president Herminie stated in a press conference earlier in May that Seychelles has consistently adhered to the One China policy, which does not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state. Following a briefing on the matter, he requested the revocation of President Lai’s flight permission.
This situation underscores the complexities of international relations in the region and highlights the delicate balance that countries must navigate when dealing with the pressures of larger powers like China. Ramkalawan’s calls for clarity and cooperation serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining diplomatic ties based on respect and mutual understanding, free from external coercion.