The South African Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party organized a demonstration against the French presence in Africa on Wednesday, May 25 in Pretoria, to which hundreds of activists responded, dressed in T-shirts and red caps. with a logo in the shape of Africa.
Foreigners of Malian, Congolese, Cameroonian and other origins were also present. A single watchword, ask France, accused of several evils (looting of African resources, colonial crimes, postcolonial imperialism, etc.), to leave the African continent. The demonstration took place in front of the French Embassy in South Africa.
Several EFF officials spoke out on the occasion. Its leader, Julius Malema, invited the French ambassador to present himself in order to give him a memorandum. “Nobody is going to hit you. You killed a lot of people in Africa, why are you afraid today to go out and face Africans, ”he said.
A spokeswoman, Leigh-Ann Mathys, told AFP that “France has its dirty little fingers still deep in its former French colonies. African countries cannot breathe”, France must “let Africa manage its affairs independently”.
Another spokesperson, Sinawo Thambo claimed that « the France-Africa relationship must change, African countries must be considered as partners and not only as suppliers of raw materials ».
French Ambassador Aurélien Lechevallier made a brief appearance under escort to address the protesters. “We have our disagreements, okay. Today, France is a partner of Africa and we are friends of African nations,” he said.
The diplomatic representation also indicated, in a statement, that « France is a strong partner of South Africa » and that it « fully respects the integrity, sovereignty and independence of all African nations ».
The EFF gave France a 14-day ultimatum to respond to eight demands it made for its attention. If this deadline is not met, the party threatens to implement a program “to weaken and thwart the continued colonization of France in Africa”.
The event was organized on the occasion of the celebration of World Africa Day.
By OMA Newsletter N° 719 of 05/26/2022
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
