Platform for African Democrats condemns Angola’s crackdown on democracy meeting
Those affected included visitors from Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique, and South Sudan.
The Platform for African Democrats (PAD) has condemned the Angolan government for attempting to suppress a major democracy meeting in Benguela on Friday.
The gathering, which brought together former African heads of state, political figures, and democracy advocates, was obstructed by Angolan authorities through visa denials, detentions, and deportations.
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According to PAD, multiple delegates were denied visas for "technical reasons", including individuals from Uganda. Others who had valid visas or were eligible for visas upon arrival were detained at the airport and deported without explanation.
Those affected included visitors from Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique, and South Sudan.
More than 25 political leaders from across Southern Africa, including Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, were denied entry.
A separate group, which included Khama, Majoro, Pastrana, and Shariff, was held at the airport for nine hours before being released. Their passports were returned only after they had missed their scheduled flight to Benguela.
The Angolan government later promised to transport the delegates to Benguela the following day, but the vehicles reportedly broke down en route. Some travellers were redirected to different airports, yet no flights were arranged to take them to their destination.
"The true nature of the Angolan regime has been exposed. It is willing to humiliate and embarrass former African heads of government and those wishing to discuss democracy in a desperate attempt to hold back the tide of progress towards people-centred societies in Africa," PAD stated.
Public apology
PAD organisers and participants strongly condemned the government's actions, calling on President João Lourenço to issue a public apology to those detained and deported.
"Through his security and immigration officials, President João Lourenço has demonstrated an unwillingness to countenance even the discussion of ideas around democracy by fellow Africans concerned with moving the continent forward to a future where all its people benefit from its incredible wealth of resources," PAD said in a statement.
PAD, established in 2023, aims to strengthen political parties across Africa by sharing best electoral and governance practices.
Angola was chosen as the host country because it currently chairs the African Union (AU). On the same weekend, the AU held its summit in Addis Ababa, where President Lourenço took over as chairperson.
The AU's theme for the year, "Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations," contrasted sharply with the actions taken by Angolan authorities against democracy advocates.
The Benguela event, titled "The Future of Democracy in Africa", was meant to continue discussions held in previous PAD summits in Poland and South Africa.
These meetings focused on advancing transparency and resisting rising authoritarianism in Africa.
High-profile attendees
Hosted by international democracy organisations, including The Brenthurst Foundation and the World Liberty Congress, the event drew high-profile attendees such as former Botswana President Ian Khama, former Lesotho Prime Minister Moeketsi Majoro, former Colombian President Andrés Pastrana Arango, and Zanzibar’s First Vice President Othman Shariff.
However, the Angolan government imposed several restrictions to disrupt the gathering.
Despite these obstacles, PAD declared that the experience had only strengthened the resolve of African democracy advocates.
"This experience has had the opposite effect to that intended by the Angolan regime. The fight for democracy, openness, and accountability is stronger than ever. Those resisting change are an impediment to the future of Africa and an embarrassment to democrats everywhere,” the statement reads.
PAD urged African democrats to unite in their efforts for reform.
"The struggle for democracy in Angola is the struggle for democracy elsewhere in Africa and everywhere,” it said.
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