Sifuna, Lissu among African leaders denied entry into Angola

ODM Party Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna and Tanzanian opposition politician Tundu Lissu are among several African leaders held up at Luanda Airport Thursday after their entry into Angola was blocked by authorities.

Others blocked are former Botswana President Ian Seretse Khama, his Colombian counterpart Andrés Pastrana Arango,  former Tanzanian legislator Zitto Kabwe and former Mozambican presidential contender Venâncio Mondlane. Mozambicans do not require visas to enter Angola. 

The leaders, mostly opposition politicians, were invited to the country by Unita, Angola's main opposition party, ahead of a conference in Benguela that is linked to its anniversary celebrations.

They travelled to Angola to take part in an international conference in Benguela, organised by the largest opposition party in Angola to mark its 59th anniversary.

The leaders took to social media to express their frustration with Angola's Immigration, which is yet to explain why their entry was being blocked.

While the reason for the move wasn't immediately clear, sources within Unita pointed an accusing finger at Angola's ruling party MPLA. They reckon the move is intended to sabotage its anniversary celebrations by preventing participation of its guests.