Denied at the Door: African Opposition Leaders Stranded at Luanda Airport

A host of African opposition leaders, including ODM party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, have been denied entry into Angola, leaving them stranded at Luanda Airport. The group was invited by Adalberto Costa, President of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), to attend a two-day event in the Central African nation.

A Diverse Delegation in Exile

Among those affected were prominent figures such as Tanzania’s opposition leader Tundu Lissu, Zanzibar’s First Vice President Othman Masoud, and former Mozambican presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane. According to reports, the delegation also included senior political figures from Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania, South Africa, Namibia, Eswatini, Lesotho, Germany, the USA, Uganda, the DRC, and Mozambique.

Social Media Outcry

Frustration and outrage quickly spread on social media. Sifuna took to his platform, stating:

“UNITA President Adalberto Costa invited us to Angola. The Government has denied us entry!”

Tundu Lissu echoed these sentiments, condemning what he described as “shabby treatment” by Angolan immigration authorities. He declared,

“This shabby treatment of the nationals of brotherly African nations is totally unacceptable and should be condemned in the strongest possible terms.”

Demands for Clarity and Accountability

The ACT-Wazalendo party, which includes key figures such as Zanzibar’s First Vice President Othman, has also condemned the actions, calling the detainment and confiscation of passports degrading. They are demanding an immediate explanation from Angolan authorities regarding the reasons behind the denial of entry to these senior opposition leaders.

Unanswered Questions

To date, it remains unclear why the Angolan government refused entry to the delegation. Critics argue that this move undermines the spirit of pan-African solidarity and could have broader implications for political discourse on the continent.

As the situation unfolds, all eyes remain on Angola as opposition leaders await further clarification from officials. The incident continues to fuel debate over immigration practices and the treatment of political dissenters within the region.