South African firebrand opposition leader and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) president, Julius Malema, has reignited the age-old dream of a united Africa, calling for a single continental president, one parliament, one currency, and a unified military command to dismantle colonial divisions and propel Africa into global relevance.
Speaking with characteristic passion on Sunday at the Nigerian Bar Association’s Annual General Conference in Enugu, Malema declared that Africa’s future depends on bold leadership, unshakable unity, and an unrelenting commitment to freeing the continent from the lingering shackles of colonialism and neo-imperialism.
> “We demand one Africa, we demand a borderless Africa, we demand an Africa with one president, one currency, one military command, with one parliament,” Malema thundered before a packed audience of lawyers, political leaders, and intellectuals.
Malema argued that Africa’s 54 sovereign states, if consolidated, would command unmatched strength in global affairs. With vast natural resources, immense human capital, and an emerging youthful population, he said a united Africa could rival any global superpower.
Rejecting the outdated labeling of Africa as the “dark continent,” Malema insisted that Africans have the ingenuity and resources to drive industrialisation and process their wealth locally rather than surrendering it to foreign exploitation.
“The land belongs to Africans, and the minerals of Africa must be returned to Africans. We have the capacity to create industries and process our minerals here. We must never allow imperialist forces to divide us in order to take our wealth,” he declared.
The EFF leader also made a bold case for visa-free travel across Africa, stressing that no African should ever need a visa to step on African soil. He urged leaders to accelerate the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), describing it as the gateway to prosperity and a critical step toward continental economic integration.
Malema praised Nigeria’s pivotal role in the anti-apartheid struggle and identified Nigeria and South Africa as twin engines capable of driving Africa’s industrialisation, economic rebirth, and global recognition.
In a stern caution, Malema warned African governments against reckless borrowing from the World Bank and other global lenders, describing such practices as a slow erosion of Africa’s economic sovereignty. He urged leaders to create indigenous financial solutions and strengthen internal markets rather than mortgage Africa’s future to foreign debt.
“We know the currency of Africa will be much stronger against the American currency. We don’t care what Donald Trump or any other leader thinks of us. Africans must refuse to be subjects of others. We must stand together as the world changes and show the world that Africa is one and equal to all nations,” Malema said to resounding applause.
He further emphasised that the salvation of Africa lies in the unity of its people:
“Our salvation lies here, in Lagos and Johannesburg, in Abuja and Pretoria, in the hands of Africans who refuse to be divided.”
Though critics often dismiss the idea of “One Africa” as overly ambitious, Malema’s fiery speech reignited the Pan-African vision once championed by icons such as Kwame Nkrumah, Julius Nyerere, and Nelson Mandela. His message underscored the urgency of creating a future where Africa is no longer seen as a resource hub for external powers but as a united political and economic force that commands respect globally.
As the conference hall erupted with applause, one thing was clear: Malema’s words have reignited the debate on whether the dream of a single Africa is closer to reality—or still a distant mirage.
PIONEER NEWS 