South African opposition leader Julius Malema has renewed his call for the unification of Africa under a single political and economic structure, urging leaders to break down colonial-era borders and embrace continental integration.
Speaking on Sunday at the Nigerian Bar Association’s Annual General Conference in Enugu, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) president proposed a vision of “One Africa” led by a single president, governed by one parliament, backed by a unified military, and powered by a common currency.
Malema stressed that Africa’s 54 sovereign states, endowed with abundant mineral resources and human capital, could transform the continent into a global powerhouse if united. He dismissed the long-standing label of Africa as a “dark continent,” insisting that Africans possess the capacity to industrialize, process their resources, and end dependence on external powers.
“No African should require a visa to visit another African country,” Malema declared, advocating for free movement across the continent.
The EFF leader also highlighted Nigeria’s historic role in supporting South Africa during the anti-apartheid struggle, urging both Nigeria and South Africa to spearhead the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for deeper economic integration.
He further warned African leaders against reckless borrowing from institutions like the World Bank and IMF, cautioning that such debts compromise the continent’s sovereignty.
“We demand one Africa, a borderless Africa, one president, one currency, one military command, and one parliament,” Malema told thousands of lawyers and dignitaries at the conference. “Our currency will be stronger against the dollar. We don’t care what Donald Trump or any other leader thinks of us. Africans must refuse to be subjects of others.”
He emphasized that Africa’s strength lies in unity, declaring that the continent’s salvation rests in cities like Lagos, Abuja, Johannesburg, and Pretoria. According to him, Nigeria and South Africa must drive Africa’s industrialisation and lead the push for a self-reliant future.
“The land belongs to Africans, and the minerals of Africa must be returned to Africans,” Malema said. “We must unite against imperialist forces that seek to divide us and take our wealth.”
