Edwin Sifuna and a group of African opposition leaders were denied entry into Angola after being invited to an event by UNITA’s President, Adalberto Costa. Stranded at Luanda Airport, they expressed outrage over the treatment received from Angolan authorities. The reasons for their denial of entry remain unclear, prompting discussions on regional solidarity.
Edwin Sifuna, the Secretary General of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), was part of a group of African opposition leaders denied entry into Angola on Thursday. They were invited to attend a two-day event by Adalberto Costa, the President of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA). Other prominent opposition figures included Tanzania’s Tundu Lissu and Zanzibar’s First Vice President Othman Masoud, alongside former Mozambican presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane.
The leaders, including Mr. Sifuna, found themselves stranded at Luanda Airport due to the ruling government’s refusal to allow them into the country. Sifuna expressed his dissatisfaction on social media, stating, “UNITA President Adalberto Costa invited us to Angola. The Government has denied us entry!” Lissu echoed similar sentiments, denouncing the treatment received from Angolan immigration authorities and calling for condemnation of the incident: “This shabby treatment of the nationals of brotherly African nations is totally unacceptable.”
The reasons for the denial of entry to these leaders remain unclear, raising questions about the Angolan government’s motives in this situation. Such actions may have broader implications for regional solidarity among African nations, especially in the context of opposition politics within the continent.
The denial of entry to Edwin Sifuna and other African opposition leaders into Angola highlights significant challenges faced by opposition parties in the continent. Their treatment reflects underlying political tensions and raises concerns regarding regional cooperation and the principles of solidarity among African nations. The incident calls for scrutiny of immigration practices and their impact on diplomatic relations in Africa.
Original Source: www.citizen.digital
