Three comedians, including Gilmário Vemba and Portuguese comedian Hugo Sousa, were denied entry into Mozambique after attempting to enter the country with tourist visas for a scheduled performance, according to the director-general of the Mozambican National Migration Service (Senami), Zainedine Danane.
“They came to the country but did not comply with the criteria for their visit, as they intended to perform a show, which is considered a cultural activity,” said Danane, speaking during an event celebrating Senami’s 50th anniversary in Maputo.
The group, which included Angolan Gilmário Vemba, Portuguese Hugo Sousa, Brazilian Murilo Couto, and a Portuguese show producer, arrived at Maputo International Airport on Sunday with tourist visas. They sought entry based on a type of visa issued upon arrival after border evaluation, as stipulated by Mozambican legislation since 2023. However, this entry does not apply to paid activities, as the Senami inspection discovered.
An event production source explained that the show, featuring the ‘Tons de Comédia’ group of three comedians, was slated for 5:00 PM local time (4:00 PM in Lisbon) on Sunday at the China Mozambique Cultural Center in Maputo, with a sold-out performance anticipated.
“Unfortunately, we won’t be able to perform the show,” Gilmário Vemba stated during a live broadcast on Instagram from the airport on Sunday night. The group had been waiting since 2:00 PM (1:00 PM in Lisbon) for entry, unaware of the reason, confirming the show’s cancellation and ticket refunds.
According to the Senami director-general, the group left the country this morning on a TAP flight.
The ‘Tons de Comédia’ show was scheduled for Sunday afternoon but was canceled. Future performances are now planned for various Brazilian cities.
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Zainedine Danane highlighted that the event promoter should have requested authorization from the Mozambican authorities, which would then be used to apply for a cultural visa.
“Not having requested this credential is akin to the event not existing. How could someone authorize a performance without being informed? This refers to legal procedures,” emphasized the Senami director-general, citing 2022 migration law changes for cultural activity visas.
This credentialing process, Danane mentioned, falls under the Ministry of Culture of Mozambique.
Regarding Murilo Couto, Danane disclosed that on June 15, Couto requested a business visa via the electronic platform, but he did not respond to a document request three days later. Despite this, even a business visa wouldn’t allow performance entry.
“The citizen did not meet the requirements nor responded to the rejection, and he’s here in Mozambique. Every country has entry rules,” Danane stated, clarifying adherence to the law, not administrative measures.
“They lacked requirements for business, cultural, and tourism visas, so how could they enter the country? Everything is based on law, nothing invented here. The wheel’s been invented. Check the law,” Danane noted.
Previously, Gilmário Vemba had performed solo in Mozambique without incidents.
Political advisor Dinis Tivane, a supporter of presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, declared via Facebook on Sunday evening that Gilmário Vemba was “barred from entering Mozambique for expressing his views.”
On July 8, Venâncio Mondlane and Gilmário Vemba met publicly in Lisbon, endorsing ‘Anamalala,’ meaning ‘will end’ or ‘ended’ in the Macua language of northern Mozambique, a slogan from Mondlane’s 2024 general election campaign that gained traction during subsequent protests. Mondlane is advocating the legalization of this party: National Alliance for a Free and Autonomous Mozambique (Anamalala).
Since the October elections, Mozambique has seen intense social unrest, with protests and stoppages organized by Mondlane, who disputes the election results favoring Daniel Chapo of the ruling Frelimo party.
Per non-governmental organizations monitoring the electoral process, approximately 400 individuals have died in police confrontations, with tensions easing after Mondlane and Chapo met twice, on March 23 and May 20, for peace talks.
