Venâncio Mondlane condemned his denial of entry into Angola as a “public shame” and a violation of Angolan law. Accompanied by several international figures, Mondlane was detained without justification at the airport. He suggested legal action against Angola for breaching international protocols, marking March 13 as a day of public disgrace for the nation.
Venâncio Mondlane, a prominent Mozambican politician, described his recent denial of entry into Angola as a “public shame” and a breach of Angolan law. He indicated the potential for legal action against the Angolan government due to the incident impacting the nation’s international reputation. Mondlane made these remarks during a live Facebook broadcast from Maputo.
The incident occurred at the 4 de Fevereiro International Airport, where Mondlane was detained along with several international guests, including former Presidents Ian Khama of Botswana and Andrés Pastrana of Colombia. They were in Angola to attend a Brenthurst Foundation conference concerning the future of democracy in Africa.
Angola’s immigration authorities cited their refusal of entry without outlining the reasons, a standard protocol that was not followed. Mondlane criticized the arbitrary nature of this action, asserting that there were no legal grounds for their deportation, noting, “That was an irregularity of the highest level. Nothing was done according to the law.”
Mondlane suggested that the incident represents a significant issue for Angola, particularly as it currently presides over the African Union, and advocated that the affected parties should pursue legal action citing violations of SADC and African Union protocols. Furthermore, he declared March 13 as a date of public shame for Angola, attributing responsibility for the delegation’s detention to the Angolan Ministry of the Interior.
In other developments, the Attorney General’s Office (PGR) of Mozambique initiated proceedings against Mondlane for allegedly inciting violence during recent post-election protests in Mozambique. This marks the most serious challenge to the election results since the nation’s first multi-party elections.
Later, despite initial detentions, both former Presidents Khama and Pastrana were permitted entry into Angola; however, Khama opted to leave, expressing his shock at the situation. He remarked that the unexpected treatment was especially striking given his previous invitation from President João Lourenço to visit Luanda.
The denial of entry into Angola for Venâncio Mondlane and other international guests has sparked significant legal and diplomatic concerns, positioning Angola’s actions as a source of public embarrassment. Mondlane’s potential lawsuit emphasizes the irregular handling of the situation, questioning adherence to international protocols. As the political climate in Mozambique remains tense, this incident could further complicate bilateral relations while highlighting issues related to governance and human rights within the region.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
