Mozambican politician Venâncio Mondlane termed his entry denial into Angola a “public shame” and a legal violation, hinting at a potential lawsuit. He criticized Angola’s immigration actions regarding a group detained, which included several notable former leaders. Mondlane emphasizes the incident’s negative implications for Angola’s image and suggests legal actions against the state. His ongoing legal issues in Mozambique further complicate the narrative.
Venâncio Mondlane, a prominent Mozambican politician, criticized his recent denial of entry into Angola, labeling it a “public shame” and asserting that it violates Angolan law. He referenced a potential lawsuit against the Angolan state during a Facebook live broadcast from Maputo, articulating concerns about the ramifications for Angola’s reputation both regionally and internationally.
Numerous international guests, including former leaders Ian Khama of Botswana and Andrés Pastrana of Colombia, experienced detention at the 4 de Fevereiro International Airport. They were in Angola to attend a Brenthurst Foundation-led conference relating to the future of democracy in Africa. Mondlane stated that the Angolan immigration services failed to specify the reason for their denial, which he deemed irregular and unlawful.
“We were not even deported; there were no procedures within the law that met the requirements for us to be deported,” Mondlane remarked, emphasizing a breach of legal norms. He proposed that his political party UNITA and other relevant organizations pursue legal action against the Angolan state for its violation of Southern African Development Community (SADC) and African Union protocols.
Mondlane declared that March 13 should be recognized as a day of public disgrace for Angola, suggesting that the decision to deny entry was likely influenced by the Angolan Ministry of the Interior, although the delegation was not officially notified. He also highlighted the shame of such an incident occurring in a country currently presiding over the African Union.
Amid these developments, the Attorney General’s Office (PGR) in Mozambique has initiated proceedings against Mondlane for allegedly inciting violence during post-election protests. He has been reported to have informed the PGR about his travel plans to Angola. Notably, after the delegation’s detention, Khama and Pastrana were eventually allowed entry, but Khama chose to leave, expressing shock over his treatment. Ian Khama stated, “What happened today was a great shock to me,” reflecting his unexpected experience after previous cordial interactions with Angolan officials.
The conference, which was a collaborative effort between the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the World Liberty Congress, was scheduled to take place in Benguela from Friday to Sunday, illustrating the international interest in discussions about democracy in the region.
In summary, Venâncio Mondlane’s denial of entry into Angola highlights significant concerns regarding legal adherence and diplomatic relations between countries in Southern Africa. His public assertion of a potential lawsuit reflects mounting tensions and raises questions about Angola’s treatment of international guests. Additionally, the broader implications of this incident for Angola’s image and regional cooperation within SADC and the African Union warrant careful consideration. It remains to be seen how this situation will unfold amidst Mondlane’s ongoing legal challenges in Mozambique.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
