Zanzibar’s First Vice President Denied Entry into Angola Amid Diplomatic Tensions
Zanzibar’s First Vice President, Othman Masoud Othman, and a delegation were denied entry into Angola during a diplomatic event. They faced detainment at Luanda Airport, with confiscated passports, along with other notable figures including Bobi Wine. The incident has raised concerns about Tanzania-Angola relations, prompting criticism from Tanzanian officials and calls for diplomatic clarity.
On Thursday, a diplomatic incident occurred at Luanda Airport when Zanzibar’s First Vice President, Othman Masoud Othman, alongside a Tanzanian delegation, was denied entry into Angola. The group was en route to a conference on democracy and governance, co-sponsored by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation. Not only Othman, but also Mozambican political figure Venâncio Mondlane, former Botswana President Ian Khama, and Uganda’s opposition leader Bobi Wine were prevented from entering the country.
Upon their arrival at 4 de Fevereiro Airport, the authorities detained the entire delegation and confiscated their passports, including those belonging to Othman and his security detail. The lack of an official explanation for their detention has amplified concerns regarding Tanzania’s diplomatic relations with Angola, sparking considerable social media outrage. Tanzanian politician Zitto Kabwe criticized the situation on Twitter, remarking on the apparent disrespect shown by Angola towards Tanzania.
Kabwe further questioned how the Tanzanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs would address this diplomatic affront, highlighting the extent of the detainment by stating that various dignitaries were being held, with their passports seized. Additionally, an official letter from Angola’s UNITA President’s Office indicated that opposition leaders from several countries, including Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Ukraine, were invited to the same event but also faced entry denials into Angola.
The list of denied individuals included notable figures such as Bobi Wine and leaders from Kenya and Ukraine, who were expected to arrive on March 13, 2025, via the same airport. While the Tanzanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not publicly responded yet, it is reported that the government is actively seeking clarifications from Angola concerning the reasons behind the entry denials. Currently, Angolan authorities have not provided an explanation regarding the detention of these distinguished guests.
The denial of entry to Zanzibar’s First Vice President Othman Masoud Othman and several other prominent figures into Angola has raised serious concerns regarding diplomatic relations between Tanzania and Angola. The lack of clarity from Angolan authorities, as well as the swift reactions on social media, underscore the potential implications of this incident. The Tanzanian government is reportedly pursuing further explanation from Angola regarding this diplomatic situation, which remains unresolved.
Original Source: www.thecitizen.co.tz
