 Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has flown to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, just hours after being denied entry into Angola){kind=link}
Sifuna Flies to Ethiopia After Being Denied Entry into Angola
Nairobi, Kenya – Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has flown to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, just hours after being denied entry into Angola. The Kenyan Senator was among several African opposition leaders invited to Angola by Adalberto Costa, the President of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), for a two-day event.
Sifuna, alongside other leaders such as Tanzanian opposition politician Tundu Lissu, took to social media to express their frustration after being stranded at Luanda Airport. The group was reportedly denied entry by the Angolan authorities, raising concerns about political suppression and the treatment of foreign delegates.
On Thursday night, Sifuna acknowledged the efforts of Ambassador Joyce Mmaitsi and the Kenyan Mission in Luanda for stepping in and organizing his departure from Angola. However, he lamented that many other opposition leaders remained stranded in the country.
“Safely back in Addis after being kicked out of Angola. I thank the Kenyan Mission in Luanda, led by Amb. Joyce Mmaitsi. You guys are great. However, over 20 leaders from various countries are still detained,” Sifuna shared on social media.
According to Sifuna, the detained individuals include nine Tanzanians, five from Botswana, three from Lesotho, two Malawians, one from eSwatini, one German, two from the UK, and two South Africans. He called on Angolan authorities to allow them to leave, condemning the incident as a setback for African unity.
“It is such a shame that visitors can be treated like this in an African country when Angola chairs the African Union,” he remarked.
The Angolan government has yet to release an official statement explaining the denial of entry to the opposition leaders. This incident has sparked widespread criticism, with many calling for greater respect for democratic principles and the free movement of political leaders within the continent.
Nairobian will continue to follow this developing story and provide updates as more details emerge.
In other news: Ruto to Kenyans: Judge Me by My Work in 2027
Sifuna Flies to Ethiopia After Being Denied Entry into Angola