Senator Edwin Sifuna and Colleagues Denied Entry to Angola

Senator Edwin Sifuna and six others were denied entry into Angola by authorities. They were invited by UNITA’s president, Adalberto Costa Júnior, but were blocked upon arrival at the airport. This event emphasizes the political challenges faced by opposition factions in Angola.

Senator Edwin Sifuna from Nairobi is among seven individuals who were denied entry into Angola. This group consisted of politicians and activists from several countries, including Uganda, Kenya, Ukraine, and Ethiopia, and was scheduled to arrive at Luanda’s 4 de Fevereiro International Airport on Thursday, March 13. Their visit was coordinated by Adalberto Costa Júnior, President of UNITA, Angola’s main opposition party.

Upon their arrival, the Angolan authorities prevented them from entering the country. Senator Sifuna expressed his discontent on social media, stating, “UNITA President Adalberto Costa invited us to Angola. The government has denied us entry!” He included a letter that was submitted by UNITA’s presidential office to Angola’s Migration and Foreign Services, requesting border visas for the group.

The letter, signed by Chief of Staff Lucas Tomás Nhanyula, indicated that UNITA would assume full responsibility for the visitors’ stay. It specified that they were expected to enter Angola on March 13, 2025, at 4 de Fevereiro International Airport. Accompanying Senator Sifuna are Sharif Ssenyonjo Najja, Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi, Cirino Hiteng Ofuho, Oleksandr Omelchuk, Andriy Marasin, and Merera Gudina Jefi.

Founded in 1966 by Jonas Savimbi, UNITA initiated as a nationalist movement fighting for independence from Portuguese colonization. Following independence in 1975, the organization became a dominant force in Angola’s civil war against the ruling MPLA, supported by the Soviet Union and Cuba. After Savimbi’s death in 2002 and the civil war’s conclusion, UNITA transitioned into a political entity and has since served as the principal opposition party advocating for democratic reforms and economic development.

In summary, Senator Edwin Sifuna and six other individuals were denied entry into Angola upon their arrival. Despite a formal invitation from the President of UNITA, their entry was blocked by Angolan authorities. This incident highlights the ongoing political dynamics in Angola concerning opposition parties and their interactions with foreign visitors.

Original Source: nairobileo.co.ke