Zanzibar’s First Vice President, Othman Masoud Othman, and a Tanzanian delegation were denied entry into Angola at Luanda Airport, prompting a diplomatic standoff. Other political figures, including Venâncio Mondlane and Ian Khama, faced similar issues. The Tanzanian government is seeking explanations from Angola, as the situation raises concerns about bilateral relations.
On Thursday, a diplomatic situation arose at Luanda Airport when Zanzibar’s First Vice President, Othman Masoud Othman, along with a Tanzanian delegation, was denied entry into Angola. This incident also involved the prevention of entry for prominent figures including Mozambican politician Venâncio Mondlane and former Botswana President Ian Khama.
Upon their arrival at 4 de Fevereiro Airport, the delegation was detained without any formal explanation, and their passports were confiscated, including those belonging to Othman and his security team. They were there to participate in a conference on democracy and governance organized in cooperation with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.
Following the event, the situation has generated concerns regarding Tanzania-Angola relations, prompting reactions on social media. Prominent Tanzanian politician Zitto Kabwe denounced the actions on Twitter, referring to it as a “disrespect shown by Angola to Tanzania” and inquired about the Tanzanian Foreign Ministry’s response to the diplomatic issue.
In addition to the Tanzanian officials, it has been reported that individuals from other nations, including Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Ukraine, were also denied entry. An official letter from UNITA’s President’s Office confirmed invitations extended to these foreign opposition leaders who experienced similar entry issues.
Sources suggest that the Tanzanian government is currently seeking clarification from Angola regarding the reasons for the denial of entry. As of now, Angolan authorities have not provided any formal explanation for the detention of the invited guests, leaving the matter unresolved.
The incident involving the denial of entry for Zanzibar’s First Vice President Othman Masoud Othman, alongside a Tanzanian delegation, at Luanda Airport has provoked significant diplomatic tensions between Tanzania and Angola. With calls for official explanations from Tanzanian authorities and broader implications for international relations in East Africa, the situation remains critical and warrants careful monitoring.
Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com
