Kenya on the spot for blocking Taiwan official from attending conference in Mombasa at China’s request
Kenya on the spot for blocking Taiwan official from attending conference in Mombasa at China's request
Kenya is courting a diplomatic storm after Taiwan accused it of denying entry to its delegates attending a maritime conference in Mombasa and detaining one of its scholars for nearly 20 hours.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said a Taiwanese academic was stopped by immigration officials while attempting to attend the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa.
According to the ministry, the scholar’s passport and mobile phone were confiscated and only returned after authorities permitted her to board a flight out of Kenya nearly a day later.
Taiwan said a team of academics had travelled to Kenya after receiving invitations linked to activities surrounding the conference and had already participated in a pre-conference exchange forum where they presented research findings.
However, according to Taipei Times, the ministry alleged that the delegates were later prevented from attending the main conference after Kenyan authorities declined to recognise their Republic of China (Taiwan) passports.
The ministry further claimed that efforts by Taiwanese government offices in the region to intervene were unsuccessful and that the delegates remained stranded for several hours before being released.
Taiwan strongly criticised the move, accusing Kenya of acting under pressure from China and going against the principles of inclusivity and international cooperation that underpin the global ocean conference.
Protest victims reject Ruto’s apology, want compensation list made public
KNH doctors remove 4kg liver tumour in 7-hour complex surgery
Autopsy reveals cause of death of seven bodies recovered in Mwingi mass grave
“The experts had their passports and cellphones confiscated for 20 hours before they were allowed to leave,” the ministry said, while calling on China to stop actions it said undermine international maritime cooperation.
Taiwan also protested what it described as diplomatic pressure from Beijing, urging friendly nations to resist attempts to isolate the self-governing island from international engagements.
The ministry noted that Taiwan has participated in the Our Ocean Conference since 2015 and argued that its exclusion overlooked years of contributions to global marine conservation and ocean governance efforts.
Taiwan’s Oceans Affairs Council later announced it would withdraw from the conference, saying the treatment of the invited experts raised concerns about the credibility and openness of the event.
The latest dispute adds to the long-running diplomatic tensions between Taiwan and China. However, as at the time of reporting, Kenya had not commented or responded to the claims.
FBI foils an alleged plot to attack White House fight night
I only need 5 years to undo the damage Ruto has done; Maraga
Gachagua begins 45-day consultation forum at Wamunyoro
Follow us
