Zanzibar’s First Vice President, Othman Masoud Othman, along with a Tanzanian delegation, was denied entry into Angola at Luanda Airport, raising concerns about bilateral relations and prompting social media backlash. No official explanation for their detention has been provided, and the Tanzanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is seeking clarification from Angola.
A diplomatic incident occurred at Luanda Airport on Thursday, as Zanzibar’s First Vice President, Othman Masoud Othman, along with a Tanzanian delegation, was denied entry into Angola. Furthermore, notable individuals, such as Mozambican politician Venâncio Mondlane and former Botswana President Ian Khama, also faced similar entry barriers. The authorities provided no official rationale for the detention of these figures, who were attending a democracy and governance conference organized with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.
Upon their arrival, the Angolan authorities detained the delegation and confiscated their passports, including those belonging to Vice President Othman and his security team. This incident has sparked significant concern regarding the diplomatic relations between Tanzania and Angola, inciting reactions on social media platforms. Zitto Kabwe, a prominent Tanzanian politician, condemned the actions, labeling it a “disrespect shown by Angola to Tanzania,” and questioned the Tanzanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding their response to this diplomatic challenge.
Reports indicate that Tanzanian officials were not the sole individuals detained at Luanda Airport. An official communication from UNITA’s President’s Office revealed that opposition leaders from Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Ukraine were also invited to the event. Visas had been requested for several individuals, including prominent political figures from these nations, all of whom were similarly denied entry. Notably, Tanzanian officials were not listed amongst these visa requests.
The issuance of invitations indicated that these leaders were scheduled to enter Angola on March 13, 2025, via the same airport. Despite this, neither the Tanzanian government nor Angolan authorities have provided a clear explanation for the entry refusals at this time. The Tanzanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to release an official statement; however, it is understood that they are seeking clarification from Angola regarding the entry denials.
The recent denial of entry to Zanzibar’s First Vice President Othman Masoud Othman and a Tanzanian delegation into Angola has raised significant concerns regarding diplomatic relations between Tanzania and Angola. Prominent politicians from other nations were similarly affected, and as of now, no clear explanations have been provided by Angolan authorities. The Tanzanian government is expected to pursue this matter to seek clarity on the diplomatic incident.
Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com
