Joseph Isangura
A diplomatic incident at Luanda’s Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport has drawn widespread criticism after several prominent African political figures were detained for nearly eight hours without explanation.
Among those affected was Zanzibar’s First Vice President, Othman Masoud Othman, who was traveling to Angola to attend the Africa Democracy Forum, an international conference focused on governance and democracy. He was accompanied by Tanzania’s Ambassador to Zambia, Lieutenant General Matthew Edward Mkingule, and other leaders from various African and international delegations.
Eyewitnesses reported that Angolan authorities withheld the passports of the detained officials upon their arrival, preventing them from proceeding to their scheduled engagements. The incident also involved former presidents from Botswana and Colombia, the former Prime Minister of Lesotho, and several high-profile African politicians.
Othman did not hold back his frustration, calling the detention an “embarrassing diplomatic act” that goes against the principles of the African Union (AU). He pointed out that such actions undermine the spirit of unity at a time when Angola’s president currently chairs the AU.
“The actions taken against us have tarnished the values of the African Union,” Othman stated. “This is not just about us as individuals—it’s about respect, unity, and the vision that our Founding Leaders fought for when they secured independence for Africa.”
Following their release, Othman and his delegation chose to withdraw from the conference in protest, emphasizing that such treatment should not be tolerated among nations that are supposed to foster cooperation.
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The Angolan government has yet to issue an official statement explaining the incident, leaving many questions unanswered. The lack of communication has fueled further concern, with calls for a thorough investigation into the matter.
This episode has sparked outrage across Africa, with many arguing that such actions set a dangerous precedent for diplomatic relations and freedom of movement within the continent. Analysts warn that if such incidents continue, they could harm the credibility of the AU and weaken trust between African nations.
For now, the detained leaders have returned to their respective countries, but the incident remains a serious point of contention. Many observers believe that a clear response from Angolan authorities is necessary to ensure that such diplomatic mishaps do not occur again.
