ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna found himself stranded in Luanda, Angola, after being denied entry into the country.

The Kenyan senator was among several African opposition leaders invited by Adalberto Costa, President of Angola’s opposition party UNITA, for a two-day event.

However, upon arrival, Sifuna and other dignitaries, including Tanzania’s opposition leader Tundu Lissu, were barred from entering and left stranded at Luanda Airport.

The incident sparked outrage, with the leaders taking to social media to express their frustration over what they called political suppression.

Hours later, Sifuna was able to leave Angola and fly to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, thanks to the intervention of Kenya’s Ambassador to Angola, Joyce Mmaitsi.

He expressed gratitude to the Kenyan diplomatic mission for ensuring his safe exit but lamented that many other leaders were still being held.

Calls for immediate release of stranded leaders

Upon reaching Ethiopia, Sifuna highlighted the plight of over 20 opposition figures from various nations who remained detained in Angola.

“Safely back in Addis after being kicked out of Angola.

I thank the Kenyan Mission in Luanda, led by Amb. Joyce Mmaitsi.

You guys are great. However, over 20 leaders from various countries are still detained,” he stated.

Among those held were nine Tanzanians, five from Botswana, three from Lesotho, two from Malawi, one from Eswatini, one German, two from the UK, and two South Africans.

Sifuna condemned Angola’s actions

Emphasizing the irony of such treatment occurring in a country that currently chairs the African Union.

“The Angolan authorities must immediately let them out.

Such a shame that visitors can be treated like this in an African country when Angola chairs the African Union,” he remarked.

As of now, the Angolan government has yet to release an official statement on the matter.

Meanwhile, pressure continues to mount, with calls for the detained leaders to be freed and for Angola to uphold democratic values across the continent.