Sifuna, Bobi Wine Denied Entry into Angola in Unexplained Move
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has been denied entry into Angola, even after receiving an official invitation from the country’s main opposition party, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA).
In a statement on March 13, Sifuna expressed frustration, stating that Angolan authorities barred his entry upon arrival despite reassurances from UNITA’s leadership that he was welcome. Ugandan opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, faced a similar fate.
“UNITA President Adalberto Costa invited us to Angola. The government has denied us entry!” Sifuna posted on X, formerly Twitter.
The senator attached an official letter from UNITA confirming the invitation. According to the document, UNITA’s Office of the President had formally requested border visas for both Sifuna and Bobi Wine, noting that the two were scheduled to arrive at Luanda’s Fevereiro International Airport on Thursday. UNITA had also committed to covering their stay in the country.
However, Angolan authorities did not provide an immediate reason for the denial, fueling speculation over possible political motivations behind the move, especially given that both Sifuna and Bobi Wine are prominent opposition figures in their respective countries.
The incident also highlights the underlying political tensions in Angola. The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) and the opposition UNITA have historically been rivals, with tensions persisting despite recent democratic gains. In Angola’s last general election, UNITA narrowly lost to the MPLA, solidifying its role as the country’s main opposition party.
Back in Kenya, Sifuna has faced his share of political wrangles. As the Secretary-General of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), he has been accused of disloyalty by some party affiliates. Recently, Nairobi ODM Chairman George Aladwa criticized him for allegedly aligning with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, suggesting his days in the party might be numbered.
Despite the internal opposition, Sifuna’s close association with ODM leader Raila Odinga remains evident. On March 7, he stood alongside Odinga while co-presenting a Memorandum of Understanding with President William Ruto.
It remains unclear whether Sifuna and Bobi Wine will pursue further diplomatic efforts to gain entry into Angola or if this move signals deeper geopolitical tensions at play.
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Sifuna, Bobi Wine Denied Entry into Angola in Unexplained Move
