The BBC has asked the Angolan government to comment. But according to a source from the Migration and Aliens Service (SME), "the expulsion was due to irregularities in the visa procedure, which prevented Mondlane and 13 other members of his entourage from entering Angolan territory".

Political analysts point to these developments as indicative of the challenges facing the African democratisation process, highlighting that the continent still has a long way to go.

Airport officials failed to provide any concrete explanation for the denial, suggesting they were following higher orders.