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Published 1st December 2013

Vol 7 (AAC) No 2

Gambia

Unacceptable demands

Fisherman off the Gambian coast. Gary Calton / Panos
Fisherman off the Gambian coast. Gary Calton / Panos

Image courtesy of Panos Pictures

President Jammeh cuts Gambia’s diplomatic relations with Taiwan after his demands for millions of dollars were rebuffed

President Yahya Jammeh’s decision to cut diplomatic ties with Taipei came as a surprise, according to Taipei’s diplomats. Other officials, however, believe the move was linked to an ‘unacceptable’ request in January for money from Gambia’s President. The Banjul government announced that it would end its diplomatic recognition of Taiwan on 14 November. Jammeh justified the action, saying that it was a matter of ‘strategic national interest’. Nonetheless, after breaking ties with Taiwan, Banjul did not immediately switch its recognition to the People’s Republic of China and the Taipei government continues to send conflicting messages about the fallout.

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KCM on the back foot

Image courtesy of Panos Pictures

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