Tanzania's opposition leaders denied entry to Angola narrate the ordeal

However, some leaders, including Zanzibar’s First Vice President Othman Masoud Othman and Chadema Chairman Tundu Lissu, were forced to spend the night in Luanda. Authorities are now working to facilitate their return to their respective countries.

The opposition leaders were en route to Benguela, some 421 kilometres away, for the Platform for African Democracy (PAD) conference.

Other notable figures denied entry included Mozambican politician Venâncio Mondlane and former Botswana President Ian Khama.

A letter addressed to Angola’s Director of Migration and Foreign Services outlined the individuals barred from entry, including Ugandans Sharif Ssenyonjo Najja and Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine), Kenyans Cirino Hiteng Ofuho and Edwin Watenya Sifuna, Ukrainians Oleksandr Omelchuk and Andriy Marasin, and Ethiopian Merera Gudina Jefi. Tanzanian officials were not included in the list.

In a statement shared with The Citizen on March 14, 2025, Mr Othman condemned the act, urging Africans and the global community to uphold the principles of brotherhood established by the continent’s founding leaders.

“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 said.

He also announced his decision not to participate in the Africa Democracy Forum and instead return to Tanzania, stating that the incident required deep reflection on the attack against African diplomacy and democracy.

In an exclusive interview, Ms Semu recounted their experience, describing how they were effectively ‘deported’ back to Tanzania on the same Ethiopian Airlines flight.

“Those who returned after spending two and a half hours at the airport, apart from myself, include Dr Nasra Nassor Omar (party Deputy Secretary for Foreign Affairs) and Secretary for Human Rights Pavu Juma Abdalla,” she said via phone.

Ms Semu believes the Angolan government’s actions were aimed at preventing the PAD conference, as it would strengthen opposition movements across Africa, particularly the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (Unita), a local political party involved in the event.

“Unita’s vote share increased from 27 percent to 44 percent in the 2022 elections, and the government is alarmed by their growing influence. African leaders fear such developments and are resorting to all means to suppress opposition,” she explained.

She added that Angola should have been proud to host such an important meeting of retired presidents, prime ministers, and opposition leaders discussing ways to strengthen democracy across the continent. Instead, government systems were allegedly used to disrupt the forum.

Ms Semu also noted that airport officials failed to provide any concrete explanation for the denial, suggesting they were following higher orders.

Surprising her, her passport was not stamped with an entry denial. However, she clarified that as a citizen of a Southern African Development Community (SADC) member country, she was not required to apply for a visa.

She pointed out that opposition parties across Africa are facing similar challenges, emphasising the need for a unified opposition to push for political change for the benefit of citizens.

“This incident has given us new resolve to continue our efforts, despite the challenges, in the fight for democracy,” said Ms Semu, confirming that members of the diplomatic corps, including Tanzania’s High Commissioner to Zambia, Lieutenant General Mathew Mkingule, were also affected.

In an interview, Lt. Gen Mkingule stated that some of the leaders who were denied entry were allowed to enter Angola the evening of March13, with the Angolan government providing them five-star hotel accommodation.

“Today, they are expected to return home. I’m preparing transport for First Vice President of Zanzibar (Othman Masoud Othman),” he said, hinting that he was unaware of the reasons behind the incident.