The Platform for African Democrats condemned the Angolan government’s crackdown on a democracy meeting in Benguela that involved visa denials, detentions, and deportations of attendees. The actions prevented numerous political leaders from engaging in crucial discussions about democracy, prompting calls for a public apology from President Lourenço. Despite these obstacles, the PAD expressed increased determination to fight for democracy throughout Africa.
The Platform for African Democrats (PAD) has denounced the Angolan government’s efforts to suppress a significant democracy meeting in Benguela. This meeting aimed to assemble former heads of state, political leaders, and democracy advocates, but was stifled by visa denials, detentions, and deportations enforced by the Angolan authorities. Delegates from several African nations, including Uganda, Kenya, and South Sudan, were particularly affected by these actions.
Multiple delegates faced denial of entry due to “technical reasons,” with individuals from Uganda encountering significant hindrances. Others who had valid visas were detained at the airport, facing deportation without clear justification. This event, which included more than 25 political leaders from Southern Africa, highlighted the systemic issues regarding access to democratic dialogue in Angola.
Among those affected were leaders such as Edwin Sifuna, Secretary-General of the Orange Democratic Movement. A specific group, comprising notable figures including Ian Khama, was held for nine hours at the airport before being released, only to miss their flight to the meeting. Although the Angolan government promised transport to the delegates, the arrangements failed as the vehicles broke down en route, complicating travel further for attendees.
PAD openly criticized the Angolan regime for its actions, declaring it a clear indication of the government’s resistance to discussions surrounding democracy. They emphasized that these actions reflect an ongoing effort to obstruct the progress towards more democratic governance across the continent.
Organizers and attendees of PAD called for President João Lourenço to publicly apologize for the treatment of detained and deported individuals. They charged that the government’s actions display a refusal to entertain vital discussions regarding democracy, highlighting a larger unwillingness to engage with fellow African leaders striving for continental growth and benefit from Africa’s resources.
PAD, established in 2023 to bolster political parties in Africa, convened this event in Angola due to the country’s chairing of the African Union (AU). Coinciding with the AU summit in Addis Ababa, the setting starkly contrasted the theme of justice for Africans with the Angolan authorities’ oppressive measures against advocates for democracy.
The Benguela event, titled “The Future of Democracy in Africa,” sought to build on prior discussions regarding transparency and the push against rising authoritarianism. High-profile attendees included former leaders and representatives from international democracy organizations, despite the government restrictions.
Despite the obstacles faced, PAD expressed that the experience has intensified commitment among advocates for democracy in Africa. They stated that the resistance depicted by the Angolan government serves only to reinforce the resolve of democrats and called for collective efforts towards reform. The organization asserted that the struggle for democracy in Angola is a common fight for all across Africa.
The Platform for African Democrats has strongly condemned the Angolan government’s actions to suppress democratic dialogue during a recent meeting in Benguela. This suppression included the denial of visas, detentions, and deportations of delegates from across Africa. Despite the challenges, PAD reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for democracy, urging collective efforts towards reform and a unified stance against authoritarianism. This incident underscores the critical need for open dialogue in the advancement of democracy across the continent.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
