Central African Republic opposition leader Anicet Georges Dologuele denounced confiscation of his diplomatic passport on Wednesday as an abuse of power in Bangui.
He was barred from boarding flight to African Union meeting in Addis Ababa on Wednesday morning, authorities said.
He said at the airport he learned he was forbidden from leaving the country after being declared stateless in his own country.
He is a board member of the African Union Peace Fund since 2018 initiative.
He previously served as prime minister from 1999 to 2001 of Central African Republic.
He renounced French citizenship last year to comply with constitution to run in election against Faustin-Archange Touadéra.
He criticized last year’s election as “far from the truth” and has regularly criticized Touadéra.
He received 13.1% of votes according to the electoral body official results.
He has since used a diplomatic passport granted as former prime minister but government has refused to issue a new passport.
This dispute highlights political tensions in Bangui amid fragile democratic transition.