Tanzanian opposition leader Masoud Othman has accused CCM leaders of misrepresenting the blockage of his convoy in Angola, hindering participation in the African Democracy Forum. Responses from CCM officials underscore procedural issues while raising broader concerns about the commitment to democracy within African leadership, particularly regarding Angola’s role in the African Union.
Recent tensions have arisen in Tanzania as opposition leader Masoud Othman of ACT-Wazalendo accused ruling party CCM leaders of undermining the Tanzanian government’s reputation. He specifically targeted CCM Vice-Chairman Stephen Wasira and CCM Secretary Hamis Mbetto for allegedly misrepresenting the details surrounding the blockage of his convoy at Quatro de Fevereiro Airport in Angola. This incident interrupted Othman and other leaders’ participation in the African Democracy Forum (PAD).
Othman contends that they were unjustly prevented from entering Angola, prompting ACT-Wazalendo to call for a public denunciation from the Tanzanian government regarding the blockage. In response, Wasira asserted that the government should not be blamed for the actions taken by Angolan authorities, as they “…manage Angola’s airport? It is managed by Angolans, and they might have had their own reasons for blocking them.”
Furthermore, Mbetto insisted that Othman and his delegation had failed to follow proper travel protocols, which led to their obstruction. Mbetto maintained that he should not be held accountable for the incident, stating that no wrongdoing occurred, and questioned why Othman’s convoy was blocked while others had traveled without issues.
Othman countered these allegations, stating that all necessary procedures had been adhered to and that they had received permission from the President of Zanzibar and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs prior to their travel. He rejected claims of Tanzanian involvement, arguing that any blockage was related to circumstances within Angola itself.
During the discourse, Mbetto expressed that Othman should learn to tolerate the political climate and reflected on past leaders who traveled without incident. He further claimed the importance of adhering to the correct procedures to avoid such issues in the future.
ACT-Wazalendo’s Dorothy Semu emphasized the need for government accountability regarding the blockage. She called for an explanation and suggested that the Tanzanian Ambassador to Angola should clarify the situation. Semu raised concerns about Angola’s leadership in the African Union (AU), urging that the AU should reflect on the ability of Angolan President to lead democratic discussions due to his recent actions. The PAD Forum, established in 2023, serves as a significant platform for discussing African political futures and was disrupted by this incident.
The conflict between Tanzania’s opposition and ruling party over the blockage of ACT-Wazalendo leaders from entering Angola has exposed significant political tensions. Masoud Othman’s calls for accountability have been met with defenses from CCM leaders, highlighting procedural discrepancies. Furthermore, concerns regarding Angola’s leadership role within the African Union and its implications for democracy have arisen. Clear communication and adherence to procedure seem critical to prevent recurrence of such incidents, emphasizing the importance of political dialogue in Africa.
Original Source: www.thecitizen.co.tz
