Senator Edwin Sifuna and African Leaders Blocked from Entering Angola
March 14, 2025
by Nick Mwangi
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, alongside several prominent African political figures, faced an unexpected obstacle when they were denied entry into Angola.
The delegation, invited by Angola’s main opposition party, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), had traveled to Luanda for a two-day meeting. However, upon arrival, Angolan immigration officials stopped them from entering the country.
Expressing his frustration, Senator Sifuna shared on X, “UNITA President Adalberto Costa invited us to Angola. The government has denied us entry!”
Tundu Lissu, opposition leader from Tanzania, also condemned the situation, calling it “unacceptable.” He emphasized that over twenty senior political leaders from Southern Africa were being held up by Angolan immigration authorities.
Among the delegation were prominent figures such as Tanzania’s First Vice President, a former President of Botswana, and a former Prime Minister of Lesotho. Representatives from Kenya, Sudan, South Africa, Namibia, Eswatini, Germany, the USA, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Mozambique were also part of the group.
Lissu reminded everyone of Tanzania’s historic support for Angola’s independence movement and its opposition to apartheid in Southern Africa during the 1970s and 80s. He pointed out, “Tanzania hosted Dr. Antonio Agostinho Neto and his MPLA fighters in their early years of struggle. As SADC members, Tanzanians don’t need visas to enter Angola.”
UNITA had taken necessary steps before the visit, submitting a formal request for border visas and assuring the Angolan authorities, through its Office Director Lucas Tomas Kanutula, that the party would take full responsibility for the delegation’s stay.
Despite these preparations, the group was turned away, and the Angolan government has yet to offer an official explanation for their actions.