Zanzibar’s Vice President Othman Sharif and other leaders were denied entry into Angola and held at Luanda Airport, with their passports confiscated. They were part of a larger delegation invited by the political party UNITA for a conference. Condemnation followed from various leaders and the ACT-Wazalendo party, demanding explanations and the return of passports.
Recent reports indicate that several prominent African leaders, including Zanzibar’s Vice President Othman Masoud Sharif and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, were denied entry into Angola. They were part of a larger delegation of over 40 political leaders who arrived for a two-day meeting organized by the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA). Currently, these leaders are being held at Luanda Airport with their passports confiscated by Angolan authorities.
The Angolan government has ordered their return to their respective home countries, advising that they travel via Ethiopia and Johannesburg without providing a clear explanation for the denial. Notably, former Presidents and high-ranking members from various political backgrounds were expected to join the conference in Luanda.
In a statement shared via social media, Senator Sifuna lamented the action, emphasizing that despite having received invitations from UNITA, entrance was barred. Sifuna referenced an official request for a Border Visa addressed to Angolan immigration authorities that listed the attendees expected for entry into the country.
Further criticism came from Tundu Lissu, who highlighted the significance of the detained leaders and condemned the treatment as unacceptable. He noted that with a diverse group of leaders representing various nations, this incident reflected poorly on Angola’s diplomatic relations within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The ACT-Wazalendo party, which includes Vice President Sharif, also condemned the actions of Angolan authorities as degrading. They called for an immediate explanation from the Angolan government and requested the return of the confiscated passports, emphasizing the necessity for Angola to uphold diplomatic protocols for its neighboring countries.
In summary, key African leaders, including Zanzibar’s Vice President Othman Sharif and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, were unjustly denied entry into Angola and are currently detained at Luanda Airport. The Angolan government provided no explanation for denying these leaders access, prompting condemnation from various political factions. Urgent calls for accountability and the return of their passports underline the continued need for diplomatic respect and adherence to established protocols among African nations.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
