Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna flew to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, hours after being denied entry into Angola.
Sifuna traveled to Central Africa following an invitation from UNITA, the country’s main opposition party.
Taking to his social media, the senator expressed gratitude to the Kenyan diplomatic mission in Luanda for their support, but condemned the Angolan authorities for detaining over 20 other leaders from different countries.
Sifuna lands in Ethiopia as 20 leaders are detained in Angola. Photo: Courtesy.
He went on to for their immediate release, he revealed that among those held by Angolan authorities are nine Tanzanians, five Botswana nationals and three from Lesotho.
Two individuals from Malawi, one from eSwatini, one German, two from the UK and two South Africans are also among those detained.
“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. 9 Tanzanians, 5 from Botswana, 3 from Lesotho, 2 Malawians, 1 from eSwatini, 1 German, 2 from the UK, and 2 South Africans. The Angolan authorities must immediately let them out. Such a shame that visitors can be treated like this in an African country when Angola chairs the African Union,” he noted.
On Thursday, Sifuna disclosed that he had been denied entry into Angola.
Sifuna, alongside a group of politicians and activists from Uganda, Kenya, Ukraine and Ethiopia, was expected to arrive at Luanda’s 4 de Fevereiro International Airport on Thursday.
However, upon arrival, Angolan authorities blocked them from entering the country.
“UNITA President Adalberto Costa invited us to Angola. The government has denied us entry,” Sifuna wrote on X.
The senator moreover attached a letter indicating that a formal request for border visas for the group had been submitted to Angola’s Migration and Foreign Services by UNITA’s presidential office.
The Angolan government is yet to provide an official statement regarding the matter.
