Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, along with several African political leaders, was denied entry into Angola despite being invited by UNITA for a meeting. Tundu Lissu, a Tanzanian opposition leader, condemned this action as unacceptable and highlighted historical ties. The Angolan government has yet to provide an explanation for their denial of entry.
On March 14, 2023, Senator Edwin Sifuna of Nairobi, Kenya, was part of a prominent group of African leaders who were denied entry into Angola. This delegation, invited by the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), included notable opposition figures from Tanzania and other regions. They traveled to Luanda for a scheduled two-day meeting but were stopped by immigration upon their arrival.
Senator Sifuna expressed his discontent, highlighting that the invitation from UNITA’s President Adalberto Costa was disregarded by the Angolan government. In a similar vein, Tundu Lissu, a senior leader from Tanzania’s CHADEMA party, condemned the situation as unacceptable. He noted that “Angolan immigration authorities are holding up and denying entry to me and over twenty senior leaders from across southern Africa.”
The delegation included various distinguished political figures, such as a First Vice President from Tanzania, a former President of Botswana, and a former Prime Minister of Lesotho, alongside representatives from nations including Kenya, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Lissu recalled the historical ties between Tanzania and Angola, emphasizing their mutual support during Angola’s struggle for independence and in the fight against apartheid.
Lissu remarked, “Tanzania hosted Dr. Antonio Agostinho Neto and his MPLA fighters in their early years of struggle.” He stressed that as members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Tanzanians should not require visas to enter Angola, calling the denial “totally unacceptable.”
Before the visit, a formal request for border visas was submitted to Angolan authorities. UNITA’s Office Director Lucas Tomas Kanutula had assured that the party would be responsible for the delegation’s accommodations. Despite this commitment, the leaders were still barred from entry, and the Angolan government has not yet issued an official statement addressing the incident.
In summary, the refusal of entry to Senator Edwin Sifuna and other African political leaders into Angola highlights significant diplomatic challenges. The group’s invitation by UNITA, along with assurances regarding their stay, was disregarded by the Angolan authorities. As tensions rise, this incident underscores the need for transparency in diplomatic relations and the necessity for nations to honor their commitments to political cooperation within regional organizations.
Original Source: www.capitalfm.co.ke
