A diplomatic incident at Luanda airport on March 13, 2025, led to Zanzibar’s VP Othman Masoud Othman and other leaders being detained for nearly eight hours. Othman criticized the Angolan authorities for undermining the spirit of the African Union, especially given Angola’s current AU Chairmanship. He chose to withdraw from the Africa Democracy Forum to reflect on the incident, calling it an assault on diplomacy and democracy in Africa.
On March 13, 2025, a diplomatic standoff at Luanda’s Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport raised concerns about the unity and cooperation within the African Union. Zanzibar’s First Vice President, Othman Masoud Othman, expressed disappointment after being detained for nearly eight hours alongside other African leaders, including the Tanzania’s Ambassador to Zambia, Lieutenant General Matthew Edward Mkingule, while en route to the Africa Democracy Forum, an international conference focused on governance and democracy in Africa.
Othman condemned the Angolan authorities’ actions as unjustified, referring to it as an “embarrassing diplomatic act.” He emphasized that such behavior undermines the core values of the African Union (AU), especially given Angola’s President is currently the AU Chairperson. He stated, “The actions taken against us have tarnished the spirit of the African Union.”
He further noted that this situation should be condemned by all nations valuing the principles established by Africa’s founding leaders. Despite his frustration, Othman expressed no animosity toward the Angolan people, recognizing the strong historical ties between Tanzania and Angola. However, he questioned the diplomatic standards among African leaders after this incident.
In response to the events, Othman chose not to attend the Africa Democracy Forum and instead returned to Tanzania for reflection, perceiving the incident as an assault on diplomacy and democracy in Africa. He declared, “I believe I need time for deep reflection and to assess what was done to us, which was an attack on diplomacy and democracy within Africa.”
This extensive detention of prominent leaders has triggered widespread indignation throughout Africa. Othman’s withdrawal from the forum highlights the need for higher standards of respect and solidarity among African leadership.
The incident at Luanda’s airport has severely questioned the commitment to unity within the African Union. Othman’s strong condemnation of Angolan authorities’ actions not only reflects concern over diplomatic conduct but also underscores the importance of upholding democracy and solidarity in African leadership. His decision to withdraw from the Africa Democracy Forum signifies the increasing need for higher standards of treatment and mutual respect among African nations.
Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com
