Leaders of Tanzania’s opposition party ACT-Wazalendo were denied entry to Angola, resulting in their forced return on the same flight. Some members were kept overnight, while others voiced concerns over the political motivations behind the denial. The incident raises significant questions regarding democratic practices and solidarity among African nations.
In a recent incident at Luanda International Airport, leaders of Tanzania’s opposition party ACT-Wazalendo encountered significant difficulty when Angolan authorities denied them entry. The delegation, which included party leader Dorothy Semu, shared that they were effectively deported back to Tanzania on the same Ethiopian Airlines flight only two and a half hours after their arrival. Some colleagues, including Zanzibar’s First Vice President Othman Masoud Othman and Chadema Chairman Tundu Lissu, were forced to remain in Luanda overnight as arrangements for their return to Tanzania were being made.
The delegation was traveling to Benguela for the Platform for African Democracy (PAD) conference. Notably, other prominent figures denied entry included the Mozambican politician Venâncio Mondlane and former Botswana President Ian Khama. A letter addressed to Angola’s Director of Migration and Foreign Services detailed numerous individuals barred from entering, among them Ugandan politicians Sharif Ssenyonjo Najja and Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi (known as Bobi Wine), Kenyans Cirino Hiteng Ofuho and Edwin Watenya Sifuna, and Ukrainian nationals Oleksandr Omelchuk and Andriy Marasin, among others, while Tanzanian officials were not included on the list.
In response to their experiences, Mr. Othman condemned the actions taken against the delegation and appealed for the principles of unity and brotherhood espoused by Africa’s founding leaders to be upheld. He expressed his continued respect for the Angolan people despite the ordeal, stating, “I bear no grudge against the people of this great nation, with whom Tanzania has long-standing historical ties.” He also declared his decision to withdraw from the Africa Democracy Forum to reflect on the implications of the incident for African diplomacy and democracy.
Ms. Semu recounted the event, characterizing their expulsion as a tactical move to undermine the PAD conference, which the Angolan government feared would bolster opposition parties like Unita, particularly following their electoral gains in 2022. She noted, “Unita’s vote share increased from 27 percent to 44 percent in the 2022 elections, and the government is alarmed by their growing influence.”
Additionally, Ms. Semu criticized the lack of clear justification from airport officials regarding their denial of entry, implying an overarching directive against allowing the meeting to proceed. Surprisingly, she did not receive a formal entry denial stamp in her passport, indicating she had not required a visa due to her status as a citizen of a Southern African Development Community (SADC) member state.
Ms. Semu reaffirmed the shared challenges faced by opposition parties in Africa and emphasized the necessity for them to unite in advocating for political progress that benefits citizens. “This incident has given us new resolve to continue our efforts, despite the challenges, in the fight for democracy,” she stated while noting that even members of the diplomatic corps, including Tanzania’s High Commissioner to Zambia, were affected by the travel restrictions.
On a related note, Lt. Gen. Mkingule indicated that some leaders denied entry might have been allowed to enter Angola on the evening of March 13, and the Angolan government subsequently provided them with five-star accommodation. He also confirmed that he was coordinating transportation for First Vice President Othman Masoud Othman to return home, although he had no further details about the initial denial of entry.
In summary, the denial of entry to Tanzania’s opposition leaders by Angolan authorities has raised significant concerns about the state of diplomacy and democracy in Africa. The actions taken have been condemned by the affected leaders, who stress the need for unity among opposition parties to advocate for systemic change. The overarching implications of political maneuvering to suppress democratic dialogue remain a critical issue that requires further scrutiny.
Original Source: www.thecitizen.co.tz
