Sifuna flies to Ethiopia hours after being denied entry into Angola

Sifuna was among several African leaders of opposition parties who were invited to Angola by Adalberto Costa, the President of the opposition party, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), for a two-day event.

The Senator, alongside other leaders, including Tanzania’s opposition politician Tundu Lissu, took to social media to lament that they were denied entry into the country by the ruling government and were left stranded at the Luanda Airport. 

On Thursday night, Sifuna lauded Ambassador Joyce Mmaitsi for intervening in the situation and organising his exit out of Angola. He, however, noted that other leaders were still stranded in the Central African nation. 

"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 said. 

"Nine Tanzanians, five from Botswana, three from Lesotho, two Malawians and one from eSwatini, one German, two from the UK and two South Africans. 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."

The Angolan government is yet to provide an official statement regarding the matter.