By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The EFF is commemorating Africa Day today by holding a picket at the French embassy in Pretoria to demand the immediate withdrawal of France from the African continent, particularly their influence in West Africa where it has former colonies.
Sinawo Thambo, national spokesperson of the EFF, said that their goal was to call for an end to French influence on the African continent, particularly in West Africa where it has former colonies and continues to try and micro-manage governments in that part of the African continent.
The European nation’s colonial tentacles had a huge reach across West, Central and North Africa, with countries such as Mali, Mauritania, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Chad, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Algeria, Morocco, Libya, Guinea and Niger among those colonised by the French.
“We are calling for France to desist from interfering in the affairs of Africa, but also that they must stop forcing nations which were colonised by them to pay colonial taxes.
“That is the primary aim of the picket, to say to France that we are able to govern our own affairs without any influence from our former colonisers and that will be the message that we put out there,” Thambo said.
Outside the gates of the embassy, EFF leader Julius Malema demanded the French ambassador come out to receive the memorandum.
Overwhelmed by the sheer numbers outside the gate, Lechevallier and his delegation informed the EFF leadership they would not be coming outside to receive the memorandum.
Malema said they should not be afraid – because, unlike France, his party was not there to colonise anyone, but to engage “peacefully”.
He called on the EFF protesters to block the main road – and told the French delegation that no one would leave until they came out, listened to him, read the memorandum, signed it, and then delivered it to their government.
After a lengthy delay and engagements between the EFF leadership and the embassy, the stalemate was broken, with officials opening the gate and standing outside as Malema read the memorandum.
Malema said: “France continues to maintain strong and intimidating military bases in almost all African counties they had colonial control over.
“African countries that were under French rule continue to pay colonial taxes and currently pay more than $500 billion to the French treasury every year.
“France must grant full independence to all African countries and allow them to determine their own currencies, monetary policies, and economic direction.
“France must also immediately remove all its military bases, which are currently stationed in Africa.”
He gave the French seven days to respond – “or the EFF would outline clear and practical programmes on how to undermine and counter France’s continued colonisation of the African content”.
Lechevallier refused to sign it, adding that “the French Embassy reminds that France is a reliable partner of South Africa and a friend of the South African people”.
Watch live in the Video Below.
Video Courtesy of EFFSA.