Senator Sifuna Arrives in Ethiopia After Denial of Entry into Angola
Senator Edwin Sifuna arrived in Ethiopia after being denied entry into Angola. He criticized Angola for detaining over 20 leaders from various countries, calling for their immediate release. Sifuna’s trip was at the invitation of UNITA, but they were blocked from entering the country.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has safely arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, after being denied entry into Angola. His travel to the region was in response to an invitation from UNITA, Angola’s principal opposition party. He expressed gratitude to the Kenyan diplomatic mission in Luanda for their assistance, but criticized the Angolan authorities for detaining over 20 international leaders.
Sifuna called for the immediate release of the detained individuals, which include nine from Tanzania, five from Botswana, and three from Lesotho. Additionally, two individuals from Malawi, one from eSwatini, one German, two from the UK, and two South Africans are also among those held. Sifuna stated, “The Angolan authorities must immediately let them out. Such a shame that visitors can be treated like this in an African country when Angola chairs the African Union.”
On the same day, Sifuna disclosed the denial of entry to Angola, where he was scheduled to arrive with a group of politicians and activists from countries such as Uganda, Kenya, Ukraine, and Ethiopia. Their arrival at Luanda’s 4 de Fevereiro International Airport was coordinated by UNITA President Adalberto Costa Júnior, who formally invited them.
Upon their arrival, Angolan officials thwarted their entry. Senator Sifuna shared this news on social media, noting the official letter requesting border visas submitted by UNITA’s presidential office to Angola’s Migration and Foreign Services. The letter, signed by Chief of Staff Lucas Tomás Nhanyula, assured authorities of UNITA’s responsibility for the group’s stay in Angola, stating, “They will enter the country tomorrow, March 13, 2025, at the 4 de Fevereiro International Airport.”
In summary, Senator Edwin Sifuna has condemned the Angolan government’s detention of over 20 international leaders, following his own denial of entry into the country. Despite a formal invitation from UNITA, he and his colleagues were barred from entering Angola. Sifuna’s appeal for the release of those detained emphasizes broader concerns regarding the treatment of international visitors in Africa, particularly under the leadership of a nation that chairs the African Union.
Original Source: nairobileo.co.ke
