Zanzibar’s VP Othman Sharif and opposition leaders Bobi Wine and Edwin Sifuna, among others, were denied entry into Angola, being held at Luanda Airport with their passports confiscated. The group of over 40 leaders was set to attend a political meeting, but the Angolan government ordered their return without explanation. The political party ACT-Wazalendo has condemned the treatment, demanding immediate clarification and the return of passports.
Recent developments indicate that Zanzibar’s First Vice President Othman Masoud Sharif, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, and opposition politicians Bobi Wine and Tundu Lissu, among others, have been denied entry into Angola. This group is part of a larger delegation comprising over 40 political leaders from various African nations, who traveled to Luanda for a two-day meeting organized by the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA).
Currently, the aforementioned leaders are being held at Luanda Airport, where their passports have been confiscated by Angolan immigration authorities. The government has issued an order for them to return to their home countries, namely Tanzania and Kenya, via Ethiopia and Johannesburg, without providing any explanations for their detention.
Among the important figures slated to attend the forum were former leaders such as Ian Khama from Botswana and Andrés Pastrana Arango from Colombia. Additionally, dignitaries such as South Africa’s Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen and the leader of Mozambique’s PODEMOS party, Venancio Mondlane, were expected to participate.
In a public message via his X account, Senator Sifuna expressed frustration, stating that despite their official invitation from UNITA’s President Adalberto Costa, the leaders were barred entry. The invitation letter detailed the need for a Border Visa for each individual, affirming that UNITA would assume full responsibility for their stay.
Political leader Tundu Lissu condemned the detainment, emphasizing that the group included prominent political figures from several nations and highlighting the historical support between Angola and Tanzania. He criticized the Angolan authorities for what he deemed unacceptable treatment of fellow African nationals.
The political party ACT-Wazalendo, comprising several leaders in the detained group, has vehemently condemned this incident, labeling it as a violation of diplomatic norms and a degrading experience for the affected leaders. They have demanded clarification from the Angolan authorities regarding the decisions made and inquired about the immediate return of the confiscated passports.
ACT-Wazalendo has urged Tanzania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to summon the Angolan Ambassador to seek an explanation, underscoring the importance of accountability in the treatment of Tanzanian leaders abroad. The party is calling for the timely restoration of the leaders’ passports and for them to proceed uninterrupted with their planned agenda in Angola.
In conclusion, the denial of entry to prominent political leaders from Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda into Angola raises serious concerns regarding diplomatic protocols and treatment of African nationals. The involved leaders, including Zanzibar’s Vice President and Senators, are demanding accountability and immediate action from both the Angolan authorities and their respective governments. The events underscore the importance of maintaining respectful diplomatic relations among African nations.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
