Othman Masoud Detained in Angola: A Diplomatic Crisis

Othman Condemns Eight-Hour Detention in Angola as Diplomatic Embarrassment

Dar es Salaam, March 14, 2025 – Zanzibar’s First Vice President, Othman Masoud Othman, has described his eight-hour detention by Angolan authorities as a "diplomatic disgrace" to Africa.

Speaking on Friday, March 14, 2025, Othman expressed deep disappointment over the incident, emphasizing that, despite his frustration, he harbors no resentment toward the people of Angola.

In his official statement, Othman revealed that he and several other leaders were detained without justification upon arrival in Angola, where they had traveled to attend the Africa Democracy Forum (PAD).

Senior Officials Among Those Detained

Othman was accompanied by key officials, including Tanzania’s Ambassador to Zambia and Angola, Lt. Gen. Matthew Edward Mkingule, as well as opposition leaders such as ACT Wazalendo’s Chairperson, Dorothy Semu, and Shadow Foreign Minister, Dr. Nasra Nassor Omar.

Additionally, Chadema Chairman Tundu Lissu—who was also set to participate in the conference—was denied entry into Angola under similar circumstances.

Other high-profile figures affected by the detainment included former presidents of Botswana and Colombia, a former prime minister of Lesotho, and various political leaders from across Africa.

Othman Decries AU Leadership’s Silence

Expressing his concern, Othman called the detention an “embarrassment to African diplomacy” and questioned how such an incident could occur while Angola’s President serves as the current Chair of the African Union (AU).

“The incident casts a dark shadow over the principles of African unity, especially at a time when the AU should be fostering cooperation and democratic values,” he remarked in a post on social media platform X.

After being held at Luanda’s Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport from Wednesday afternoon until late at night, Othman and his entourage were eventually released around 10 PM and escorted to their designated hotels.

Othman Withdraws from Democracy Forum

Following the incident, Othman announced his decision to withdraw from the Africa Democracy Forum, citing the need for deep reflection on what he termed an “attack on diplomacy and democracy in Africa.”

“I need time to conduct a thorough assessment of this disturbing incident and its implications for regional cooperation,” he stated.

Despite the ordeal, Othman reiterated his commitment to strong Tanzania-Angola relations, noting that the two nations share a long-standing historical bond.