Angola Faces Backlash for Denying Entry to African Opposition Leaders
Angola is facing criticism after refusing entry to several prominent African political figures who were invited to attend a democracy summit hosted by the country’s main opposition party, Unita.
Among those denied entry were Botswana’s former President Ian Khama, Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, and Mozambique’s Venancio Mondlane.
Tundu Lissu expressed his frustration on social media platform X, stating, “The action of the Angolan government to prevent us from entering Angola is inexplicable and unacceptable.”
The Angolan Migration and Aliens Service (SME) cited “irregularities in the visa procedure” as the reason for the expulsion of Mondlane and 13 other members of his entourage. However, the Platform for African Democrats (Pad) claimed that at least 20 leaders and representatives from countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique, and South Sudan were denied entry despite having valid visas or being eligible for visa-on-arrival.
Kenyan senator Edwin Sifuna from the opposition Orange Democratic Movement confirmed he was among those deported. Additionally, Colombia’s former President Andres Pastrana and Zanzibar’s first Vice-President Othman Masoud Othman were detained at the airport for nine hours without explanation and missed their connecting flights.
The Angolan government had promised to provide a plane to make up for the inconvenience, but the offer never materialized.
Unita lawmaker Nelito da Costa Ekwiki condemned the Angolan government’s actions, calling it a blatant attempt to suppress dissent.
Mozambican political analyst Tomas Viera Mario described the move as “strange,” especially since Angolan President Joao Lourenco currently chairs the African Union and is set to host peace talks over the DR Congo conflict next week.
Zanzibar’s opposition party, ACT Wazalendo, urged the Tanzanian government to summon the Angolan ambassador for a formal explanation.
The Angolan government has yet to comment on the incident, which has drawn attention to the country’s alleged efforts to stifle political opposition and maintain its grip on power.
