Senator Sifuna and Other Leaders Denied Entry into Angola
Kenya’s Senator Edwin Sifuna and several senior African leaders were denied entry into Angola despite an invitation from the opposition party, UNITA. Key figures included Tanzania’s Tundu Lissu. The delegation was turned away by immigration authorities, provoking criticism of the Angolan government and raising questions about African diplomatic relations.
On March 14, 2023, Kenya’s Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna was among a group of senior political leaders from several African nations who were denied entry into Angola. This delegation, invited by Angola’s main opposition party, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), aimed to attend a two-day meeting in Luanda but faced rejection by Angolan immigration authorities upon arrival.
Senator Sifuna expressed disappointment, stating, “UNITA President Adalberto Costa invited us to Angola. The government has denied us entry!” His sentiments were echoed by Tundu Lissu, a senior leader from Tanzania’s opposition party, CHADEMA, who condemned the action as unacceptable, noting, “Angolan immigration authorities are holding up and denying entry to me and over twenty senior leaders from across southern Africa.”
The delegation comprised prominent figures, including a First Vice President from Tanzania, a former President of Botswana, and numerous representatives from various countries, including Kenya, Sudan, South Africa, Namibia, Germany, and the United States. This incident sparked concerns regarding the treatment of African leaders planning to visit Angola.
Lissu also highlighted Tanzania’s historical support for Angola’s independence and its involvement against apartheid in Southern Angola during the 1970s and 1980s. He remarked, “As SADC members, Tanzanians don’t need visas to enter Angola,” labeling the immigration denial as “totally unacceptable.”
Prior to their arrival, a formal visa request had been submitted to Angolan authorities, with UNITA’s Office Director Lucas Tomas Kanutula assuring that the party would assume all responsibilities for the delegation’s visit. Despite this prior arrangement, the group was ultimately turned away, and no official explanation for the denial has been issued by the Angolan government.
The incident of denied entry for a group of senior African political leaders into Angola raises significant questions about diplomatic protocols and relations. Despite invitations and arrangements made by UNITA, the Angolan government’s actions resulted in a diplomatic setback and highlighted ongoing issues regarding access for regional leaders. The broader implications for African unity and cooperation will undoubtedly emerge from this event.
Original Source: www.capitalfm.co.ke
