By Sheila Nhancale
Maputo (MOZTIMES) – Former Mozambican presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane was denied entry on Thursday afternoon at Luanda’s 4 de Fevereiro International Airport upon arrival to attend a conference organised by the International Democratic Centre (IDC), which discusses issues related to democracy in Africa. The information was confirmed by Paulo Faria, a UNITA MP, in a phone interview with MOZTIMES.
Mondlane travelled at the invitation of UNITA, Angola’s largest opposition party, which has been denouncing the increase in political repression under President João Lourenço’s government. The ruling party, the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), has been in power since the country gained independence in 1975.
Mondlane was denied entry into Angolan territory and, consequently, prevented from continuing his journey to Benguela, where the conference is set to take place, bringing together other African leaders, including former Botswana President Ian Khama.
“We have been here since 1:00 p.m., pressuring the authorities for the release of our guests”, Faria said. “Unfortunately, no one wants to make a statement, which shows the fear of disobeying President João Lourenço’s orders,” he added.
Lutero Simango, a former presidential candidate for the Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM), who is also part of the Mozambican delegation attending the IDC conference, was granted entry into Angola and, by Thursday evening, was already in Benguela, MDM spokesperson Fernando Bismarques told MOZTIMES. (SN)
