Venâncio Mondlane condemned his denial of entry into Angola as a public shame and a violation of law, hinting at a lawsuit against the Angolan state. The incident involved the detention of several international guests, including former presidents, during a democracy conference. Mondlane criticized the lack of legal procedure and emphasized the diplomatic repercussions for Angola.
Venâncio Mondlane, a Mozambican politician, described his recent denial of entry into Angola as a “public shame” and a breach of Angolan law, hinting at legal action against the Angolan government. In a live Facebook broadcast from Maputo, he expressed concerns about the negative implications this incident could have on Angola’s international reputation.
Mondlane, along with several international figures including former Presidents Ian Khama of Botswana and Andrés Pastrana of Colombia, was detained at 4 de Fevereiro International Airport for several hours. They were in Angola for a conference organized by the Brenthurst Foundation, focusing on the future of democracy in Africa. Mondlane criticized the Angolan immigration services for not providing a reason for their refusal of entry, which he deemed as a significant irregularity.
He emphasized that the delegation was not formally deported, which violates legal protocols that should govern such decisions. Mondlane suggested that the denial of entry undermines the principles of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union. He declared March 13 a “day of public shame” for Angola, attributing the incident to the Angolan Ministry of the Interior without official communication to the detained delegation.
In light of these events, he urged UNITA and other organizations to consider suing the Angolan state. Concurrently, Mondlane faces legal challenges in Mozambique from the Attorney General’s Office, which accuses him of inciting post-election violence. He had previously informed the Public Prosecutor’s Office about his plans to travel to Angola.
Despite being denied entry, both Khama and Pastrana were allowed into Angola later but Khama decided to leave due to the treatment during his arrival. Reflecting on the situation, Khama expressed his shock, recalling his previous visit to Angola at the invitation of President João Lourenço. The cancelled conference was planned to occur from Friday to Sunday in Benguela, in collaboration with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the World Liberty Congress.
The incident surrounding Venâncio Mondlane’s denial of entry into Angola raises serious questions about legal protocols and international diplomatic relations. Mondlane’s plans for a lawsuit highlight potential violations of both Angolan law and regional agreements. The fallout from this event may have lasting impacts on Angola’s international image, especially as it currently holds the presidency of the African Union. The situation underscores the tensions within Mozambican politics as Mondlane navigates legal challenges at home.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
