"Angolan act is an attack to Diplomacy and Democracy in Africa" - Zanzibar Vice-President

By Osoro Nyawangah, LUANDA Angola

The Angolan authorities have released political leaders from various countries in Africa who have been detained for about eight hours at the Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport in Luanda, yesterday March 13, 2025.

The First Vice President of Zanzibar, Mr. Othman Masoud (above), said that he has decided not to participate in the political conference convened by the main opposition party in Angola, UNITA and return to Tanzania due to the humiliation committed by the government of that country.

The Platform for African Democrats (PAD) Dialogue, a high-profile event organized in partnership with the Brenthurst Foundation and the Friedrich Foundation was aimed to bring together political figures from across the continent to discuss governance and democratic challenges.

"I along with other famous leaders including retired Presidents from Botswana and Colombia, retired Prime Minister of Lesotho, and some heads of political parties from various nations in Africa, and elsewhere in the World; finally, at four o'clock (4.00) at dawn were released and taken to the hotels where we were booked." Masoud said.

"After considering yesterday's event, I have decided not to participate in that important meeting I was invited to, of the African Democracy Forum, and instead I am returning to Tanzania."

The high-ranking leader in Tanzania said that he has been humiliated by Angolan authorities despite being accompanied by the Tanzanian Ambassador to Zambia, Lieutenant General Matthew Mkingule, who also represents Tanzania in Angola.

"This shameful diplomatic act carried out by the Angolan authorities, had no justification at all, and has tarnished the concept of the African Union, again at a time when the President of Angola is the Chairman of the African Union (AU)." He said and added that this is an act that should be strongly condemned by all Africans.

In addition, Masoud who leads one of key opposition parties in Tanzania (ACT-Wazalendo) said that the act is an attack against Diplomacy and Democracy in Africa.

Several other dignitaries who faced the ordeal include Venancio Mondlane, a former Mozambican presidential candidate, Kenya's Edwin Sifuna - Secretary General of the Orange Democratic Movement and Senator of Nairobi, former Botswana president Ian Seretse Khama and Colombia's Andrés Pastrana Arango.

Others were Tanzania’s main opposition party (CHADEMA) chairman - Tundu Lissu, Uganda opposition figure – Bobi Wine and other opposition figures from Ethiopia, Sudan, Namibia and Ukraine.