Tanzania’s Opposition Leaders Denied Entry to Angola: An Account of Their Ordeal
Tanzania’s opposition leaders from ACT-Wazalendo were denied entry to Angola and effectively deported back to Tanzania on the same flight. Some members remained in Luanda, with authorities arranging for their return. The denial sparked condemnation regarding the suppression of democratic engagement across Africa, with leaders calling for unity among opposition parties to foster political change.
In a troubling incident for Tanzania’s opposition, leaders from the ACT-Wazalendo party detailed their experience at Luanda International Airport, where they were denied entry to Angola. Despite attempting to participate in the Platform for African Democracy (PAD) conference, most members, including party leader Dorothy Semu, were effectively ‘deported’ back to Tanzania on the same Ethiopian Airlines flight that had brought them to Angolan soil just two and a half hours earlier.
While some leaders, such as Zanzibar’s First Vice President Othman Masoud Othman and Chadema Chairman Tundu Lissu, were compelled to remain in Luanda overnight, authorities are reportedly working to arrange their return to Tanzania. The event intended for the leaders was to take place in Benguela, approximately 421 kilometers away. Not only Tanzania’s leaders were affected; Mozambican politician Venâncio Mondlane and former Botswana President Ian Khama were also denied entry.
A letter directed to the Director of Migration and Foreign Services in Angola specified a list of individuals who were barred from entry, including notable names such as Ugandans Sharif Ssenyonjo Najja and Bobi Wine, Kenyans Cirino Hiteng Ofuho and Edwin Watenya Sifuna, Ukrainians Oleksandr Omelchuk and Andriy Marasin, and Ethiopian Merera Gudina Jefi. Notably, Tanzanian officials did not feature on this exclusion list.
Mr. Othman expressed dismay at the treatment, calling on Africans and the international community to uphold diplomatic principles of unity espoused by the continent’s founders. He expressed, “Despite being upset by the actions taken against us, I bear no grudge against the people of this great nation, with whom Tanzania has long-standing historical ties.” He ultimately chose not to attend the Africa Democracy Forum following the incident, advocating for profound reflection on the challenges facing African diplomacy and democracy.
Within an exclusive interview, Ms. Semu recounted the experience and articulated her belief that the Angolan government aimed to impede the PAD conference to stifle the development of opposition movements. She stated, “Unita’s vote share increased from 27 percent to 44 percent in the 2022 elections, and the government is alarmed by their growing influence.”
Ms. Semu highlighted that Angola ought to have been proud to host such significant discussions among leaders examining democracy’s advancement on the continent. Yet, the government purportedly misused administrative systems to thwart the meeting. Furthermore, she noted the lack of clear explanations provided by airport officials, implying they acted under superior directives.
Interestingly, her passport was not physically stamped with an entry denial, as citizens from Southern African Development Community (SADC) member countries do not require a visa for entry. Ms. Semu emphasized that opposition parties across Africa face similar challenges, necessitating a common front to advocate for political transformations for citizens’ benefit. She remarked, “This incident has given us new resolve to continue our efforts, despite the challenges, in the fight for democracy.”
Moreover, members of the diplomatic corps, including Tanzania’s High Commissioner to Zambia, Lieutenant General Mathew Mkingule, encountered issues similar to those faced by the opposition leaders. In a separate interview, Lt. Gen Mkingule noted that some denied entries were later admitted into Angola, where they received accommodations in five-star hotels, and they are expected to return home shortly.
The denial of entry faced by Tanzania’s opposition leaders in Angola raises concerns about the suppression of democratic discourse on the continent. The actions taken against these leaders spotlight a troubling trend of political interference aimed at stifling opposition movements. As articulated by the affected leaders, this incident not only underscores the struggles for democratic principles but also reinforces the need for unity among opposition parties in Africa to promote effective political change. The ongoing diplomatic dialogues between affected regions reflect a critical juncture in protecting the integrity of democratic processes.
Original Source: www.thecitizen.co.tz
