Tanzania’s Opposition Leaders Detained in Angola: A Detailed…

Tanzania’s opposition leaders from ACT-Wazalendo were denied entry to Angola for the Platform for African Democracy (PAD) conference, leading most to return home on the same flight. Some leaders remained overnight, sparking condemnation from party representatives. The incident reflects broader issues of opposition suppression occurring across Africa, urging unity among political groups for meaningful change.

Tanzania’s opposition leaders from the ACT-Wazalendo party recently experienced significant difficulties at Luanda International Airport in Angola, where entry was denied to them by local authorities. Most of the delegation, including party leader Dorothy Semu, returned to Tanzania aboard the same Ethiopian Airlines flight that brought them to Angola just two and a half hours earlier, while several other leaders were required to spend the night in Luanda. The authorities are currently working to facilitate their safe return to Tanzania.

The opposition leaders were traveling to Benguela for the Platform for African Democracy (PAD) conference, which was intended to bring together various leaders from across the continent. Notably, some individuals, including Mozambican politician Venâncio Mondlane and former Botswana President Ian Khama, were also barred from entry, alongside leaders from several other African nations. A letter issued to Angola’s Director of Migration and Foreign Services specifically named those denied entry, excluding Tanzanian officials from the list.

In a statement shared with The Citizen, Othman Masoud Othman sharply criticized the incident, urging the African community to uphold the spirit of solidarity created by the continent’s founding leaders. He expressed his disappointment regarding the actions taken against the group, yet offered no ill will towards the citizens of Angola, citing the historical connections between the two nations. Othman announced his withdrawal from the Africa Democracy Forum, emphasizing the need for reflection on the implications of the situation for African diplomacy.

Dorothy Semu provided further insights into the ordeal, suggesting that the Angolan government’s actions were deliberately aimed at undermining the PAD conference. She argued that the growing influence of Unita, Angola’s opposition party, has caused concern among those in power, prompting them to take extreme measures to mitigate any strengthening of opposition movements. According to her, such incidents illustrate a broader trend across Africa, where governments suppress dissent to maintain control.

Moreover, Semu noted that airport officials provided no clear rationale for the denial of entry, implying adherence to directives from higher authorities. She explained that her passport was not stamped with a denial, as she holds citizenship from a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which typically does not require a visa for entry.

This incident has galvanized the opposition, according to Semu, reinforcing their commitment to advocate for democratic reforms despite ongoing challenges. The diplomatic corps was also implicated, with Tanzania’s High Commissioner to Zambia, Lieutenant General Mathew Mkingule, indicating that some leaders initially barred from entry were later permitted access, receiving accommodation from the Angolan government. Mkingule acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the event’s circumstances.

The incident involving the denial of entry to Tanzania’s opposition leaders by Angolan authorities underscores the challenges faced by political dissidents across Africa. The opposition leaders’ experience highlights a troubling trend of governmental suppression aimed at curbing democratic engagement. As the situation develops, it emphasizes the need for African nations to collaborate and uphold the principles of democracy, while reaffirming the resolve among opposition parties to persist in their fight for political change despite such adversities.

Original Source: www.thecitizen.co.tz