Tanzanian, regional leaders denied entry to Angola

By Lulu Angelo Sanga

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (AA) - A diplomatic standoff has erupted in Angola after Zanzibar's First Vice President Othman Masoud Othman and other prominent political figures from Southern Africa were barred from entering the country.

The delegation, which included Tanzanian ACT Wazalendo party leader Dorothy Semu, Mozambican politician Venancio Mondlane and former Botswana President Ian Khama, had traveled to the capital Luanda to attend a regional democracy and governance conference organized in partnership with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.

Upon arrival at Luanda's 4 de Fevereiro Airport, Angolan authorities reportedly detained the group and confiscated their passports, offering no official explanation.

According to Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, more than 20 senior political figures were affected, raising concerns of a diplomatic fallout between Tanzania and Angola.

Former ACT-Wazalendo party leader Zitto Kabwe condemned the move, calling it "a sign of disrespect shown by Angola to Tanzania."

Adding to the controversy, Kenyan High Court advocate Miguna Miguna shared a letter listing seven officially invited delegates denied entry. He also criticized Angolan opposition group UNITA, accusing it of imperialist tendencies.

Kenyan Senator Edwin Sifuna, also part of the delegation, confirmed he had returned safely to Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa after being expelled. He thanked Kenya's embassy in Luanda for their support but noted that more than 20 leaders remain detained, including nine Tanzanians, five from Botswana, three from Lesotho, two Malawians, one from eSwatini, one German, two Britons and two South Africans.

Sifuna slammed Angola’s actions as unacceptable for a country currently chairing the African Union.

The Angolan government has yet to comment, but the incident has sparked widespread outrage on social media, exposing deepening regional tensions over political freedoms and diplomacy.