Venâncio Mondlane Denounces Denial of Entry into Angola as an Embarrassment

Venâncio Mondlane criticized his denial of entry into Angola as a “public shame” and a legal violation. He, along with other dignitaries, was detained at the airport without explanation while headed to a democracy conference. Mondlane hinted at a possible lawsuit against Angola for breaching SADC and AU protocols, further urging a collective legal response from affected parties.

Mozambican politician Venâncio Mondlane has described his recent denial of entry into Angola as a “public shame,” asserting that it violates Angolan laws and could lead to a legal action against the Angolan state. Mondlane made these remarks during a live Facebook broadcast from Maputo, emphasizing the negative impact this incident has had on Angola’s reputation both in Africa and globally.

The situation involved several international dignitaries, including former presidents Ian Khama of Botswana and Andrés Pastrana of Colombia, who faced detention at the 4 de Fevereiro International Airport. The delegation was in Angola for a conference on Africa’s democratic future, organized by the Brenthurst Foundation. Mondlane noted that Angolan immigration officials denied their entry without providing valid reasons, which is a requirement in such circumstances.

Mondlane expressed that the actions taken against their delegation lacked proper legal procedures, asserting, “We were not even deported; there were no procedures within the law that met the requirements for us to be deported.” He also hinted at potential litigation against Angola, citing violations of the protocols of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union. The politician emphasized that March 13 should be marked as a day of public shame for Angola.

He further claimed that the decision to detain the group stemmed from the Angolan Ministry of the Interior, while noting the importance of the incident, given that Angola currently holds the African Union presidency. Mondlane urged UNITA, the affected delegation, and other SADC and African Union entities to consider a lawsuit against the Angolan government.

In a related matter, Mondlane is currently facing accusations from the Attorney General’s Office of Mozambique, which has opened proceedings against him for allegedly inciting violence during recent post-election protests. Despite being invited to Angola previously by President João Lourenço, former President Khama expressed his shock over the treatment he received, ultimately deciding to leave the country due to the circumstances he faced upon arrival.

The scheduled conference was to take place in Benguela from Friday to Sunday, organized in collaboration with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the World Liberty Congress, highlighting the significance of the gathered leaders discussing crucial democratic issues.

In summary, Venâncio Mondlane’s denial of entry into Angola has raised significant concerns regarding legal protocols and the political climate within the nation. His remarks suggest a potential lawsuit against the Angolan government, emphasizing the need for adherence to international diplomatic standards. The incident not only affected the Mozambican politician but also casts a shadow on Angola’s reputation in the wider African context as it chairs the African Union.

Original Source: clubofmozambique.com