Senator Edwin Sifuna and Six Others Denied Entry into Angola

Senator Edwin Sifuna and six others were denied entry into Angola while attempting to visit on March 13. The group was invited by UNITA’s President but blocked by Angolan authorities despite a formal visa request. This incident highlights the ongoing political dynamics in Angola.

Senator Edwin Sifuna of Nairobi is one of seven individuals who were denied entry into Angola. This group included politicians and activists from Uganda, Kenya, Ukraine, and Ethiopia, who were scheduled to arrive at Luanda’s 4 de Fevereiro International Airport on March 13. Their visit was arranged by Adalberto Costa Júnior, President of UNITA, Angola’s main opposition party.

Upon their arrival, Angolan authorities blocked the group from entering the country. Senator Sifuna expressed his dismay, stating, “UNITA President Adalberto Costa invited us to Angola. The government has denied us entry!” He also shared a letter indicating that a formal request for border visas had been submitted by the presidential office of UNITA to Angola’s Migration and Foreign Services.

The letter, signed by Lucas Tomás Nhanyula, Chief of Staff, confirmed that UNITA would assume responsibility for the visitors during their stay. It stated, “They will enter the country tomorrow, March 13, 2025, at the 4 de Fevereiro International Airport. The Office of the President of UNITA declares responsibility for their stay in Angola.”

Those accompanying Senator Sifuna include Sharif Ssenyonjo Najja, Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi, Cirino Hiteng Ofuho, Oleksandr Omelchuk, Andriy Marasin, and Merera Gudina Jefi. Notably, UNITA was established in 1966 by Jonas Savimbi as a nationalist movement opposing Portuguese colonial rule. Following Angola’s independence in 1975, UNITA became a significant player in the civil war against the ruling MPLA, backed by the Soviet Union and Cuba.

After Savimbi’s death in 2002 and the conclusion of the civil war, UNITA evolved into a political party and has continued to serve as the primary opposition in Angola, advocating for democratic reforms and political change.

In summary, Senator Edwin Sifuna and a delegation faced entry denial to Angola despite an invitation from UNITA’s President. The situation underscores ongoing political tensions and the challenges faced by opposition groups in Angola. UNITA’s historical context as a major opposition force rich in a complex past further emphasizes the significance of this event.

Original Source: nairobileo.co.ke