● Proposes single president, currency, military, and parliament
South African activist Julius Malema passionately called for African unity to counter external exploitation and division.
Malema made the call on Sunday during the 2025 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference held at the International Conference Centre, Enugu State.
The theme of the conference was ‘Stand Out And Stand Tall’.
He urged the continent to stand firm against imperialist forces.
“Africa must resist those who seek to plunder our land and resources,” Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), declared. “Our minerals and wealth belong to Africans, and we must reclaim them.”
He advocated for local industrialisation to process Africa’s natural resources, emphasizing the continent’s potential for self-reliance.
“We have the capacity to build industries and stop the extraction of our wealth by foreign powers,” he said.
Malema envisioned a united Africa with no borders, proposing a single president, currency, military, and parliament.
“A unified African currency would surpass the strength of the U.S. dollar,” he asserted, adding, “We are not pawns of foreign agendas.”
He called for Africans to see themselves as equals to global powers like China, Russia, and the United States.
“We are not a dark continent; we shine with the brilliance of our diamonds and our people,” Malema proclaimed.
Lamenting centuries of imperialist exploitation, he stressed that Africa’s salvation lies within. “Our future is not in Washington, London, or Beijing—it’s in Africa,” he said.
Malema also urged deeper collaboration between Nigeria and South Africa to make the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) a transformative reality.
“Together, we can champion fair trade, nurture industries, and prioritize education and innovation,” he noted. “Africa is a continent of giants, not beggars.”
He condemned xenophobia, calling for solidarity among Africans.
“We must love and respect each other to demand respect from the world,” Malema said. “Unity is our greatest strength.”
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