South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, Julius Malema, has renewed calls for the full political and economic integration of Africa under one leadership structure.
Speaking on Sunday at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference in Enugu, Malema told thousands of lawyers and dignitaries that Africa must dismantle colonial boundaries and embrace unity.
Key Points from Malema’s Speech:
Single Leadership & Institutions: Malema proposed one African president, one parliament, one military command, and one currency, arguing that such unity would strengthen Africa’s global influence.
Stronger Currency: He insisted that a united African currency would rival the U.S. dollar and free the continent from economic dependence.
Borderless Africa: The EFF leader urged the abolition of visa restrictions within Africa, insisting that Africans should move freely across the continent.
Rejecting Exploitation: Malema condemned imperialist exploitation of Africa’s land and minerals, stressing that resources must be controlled and processed by Africans for Africa’s benefit.
Nigeria & South Africa’s Role: He highlighted Nigeria and South Africa as pivotal to Africa’s industrialisation, recalling Nigeria’s support during South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle. He called on both nations to lead the charge for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Caution on Loans: Malema warned African governments against reckless borrowing from the World Bank and other international lenders, urging strict regulation of foreign loans to protect future generations.
Malema’s Vision
“We demand one Africa, we demand a borderless Africa, we demand an Africa with one president, one currency, one military command, with one parliament. Our salvation lies here, in Lagos and Johannesburg, in Abuja and Pretoria, in the hands of Africans who refuse to be divided,” he declared.
He added that Africa was not a “dark continent” but a resource-rich region capable of global greatness, provided it unites against internal divisions and external exploitation.
