Malema wants France out of Africa
According to the EFF, it is time for Africa’s eight French-speaking countries to drop French as an official language.
On Thursday, the party’s leader, Julius Malema, spoke to a crowd of hundreds outside the French embassy in Pretoria.
On May 25, which was also Africa Day, the EFF marched. Malema told the people who supported him that getting rid of the French language would help people feel more like they are African.
“France must grant full independence to all African countries and allow them to determine their own currencies, monetary policies, and economic direction. France must stop all colonial taxes.”
Malema also said that French troops should leave Africa, accusing Europe of backing West African military coups.
“France must immediately remove all its military bases which are currently stationed in Africa. This includes but is not limited to, military bases, French soldiers, French aid through arms, and any presence of French influence in the armies or militia groups in Africa. France must return all mineral or fiscal reserves held by the French Treasury to African nations and any of their former colonies.”
In spite of receiving the memorandum, France’s Ambassador to South Africa, Aurélien Lechevallier, expressed disagreement with the EFF.
“We respect the EFF as a political movement. We will convey the memorandum to Paris but we have our disagreement. “Today France is a partner with Africa and we are friends of the African nation.”
