A group of African leaders, including Zanzibar’s VP Othman Sharif and Senator Edwin Sifuna, were denied entry into Angola and detained at Luanda Airport, with their passports confiscated. The leaders were part of a delegation invited by UNITA for a political meeting. The plight has sparked widespread condemnation and demands for accountability from affected political parties and leaders.
In a significant diplomatic incident, several prominent African leaders, including Zanzibar’s Vice President Othman Masoud Sharif, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, and opposition figures Bobi Wine and Tundu Lissu, were denied entry into Angola. They are currently being detained at Luanda Airport, where their passports have been confiscated. This group is part of a larger delegation of over 40 senior representatives from various political parties in Africa, invited for a two-day meeting hosted by the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA).
According to reports, the Angolan government has mandated the leaders’ return to their home countries—Tanzania for Sharif, Sifuna, and others, via routes through Ethiopia and Johannesburg. Despite their official invitations, the leaders were informed upon arrival that entry was prohibited without any clear reasoning from Angolan authorities. In a statement shared on social media, Edwin Sifuna expressed concerns regarding the denial of entry saying, “UNITA President Adalberto Costa invited us to Angola, but the government has denied us entry!”
The communication from UNITA’s President highlighted the necessary arrangements for the visiting delegates. Such communications requested documentation for figures like Sifuna, Bobi Wine, and others to ensure their entry into Angola. The letter also emphasized the Office of the President’s responsibility for their reception in the country, reinforcing diplomatic protocol expectations.
In light of these events, Tundu Lissu condemned the actions of Angolan immigration authorities, noting the distinguished nature of the delegation, which included notable past leaders, and emphasized the historical bonds between Angola and Tanzania. He asserted, “The treatment of our leaders is not only degrading but also a violation of diplomatic protocols.”
Furthermore, the ACT-Wazalendo party, representing several detained leaders, has denounced the incident and demanded clarification from Angolan authorities. Mwanaisha Mndeme, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs for the party, stated that the behavior was degrading and a breach of diplomatic relations, calling for immediate action from the Tanzanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They urged for the urgent return of confiscated passports and assured that the Tanzanian delegation should be allowed to complete their intended engagements in Angola.
The denial of entry to prominent leaders from several African nations highlights potential diplomatic tensions and raises serious concerns regarding the treatment of political figures in international relations. The swift condemnation from affected parties, particularly the ACT-Wazalendo party, emphasizes the need for accountability and adherence to diplomatic protocols. The situation continues to unfold, warranting close observation of responses from the Angolan government and the reactions of international representatives.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
