Julius Malema, the leader and founder of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has advised former African presidents to desist from making their successors’ governance difficult.
Speaking on Tuesday, January 23, at a public discussion arranged by the advocacy group AriseGhana in Accra, Mr. Malema emphasized that outgoing presidents ought to stay at home, take part in state visits as statesmen, and refrain from opposing their successors.
He discouraged former presidents from getting involved in any civilized democracy by insisting that they should not meddle in the affairs of the presidents in power and by suggesting that they be held accountable.
Mr. Julius Malema also urged African leaders to refrain from going above and beyond what is required by their constitutions when governing their people.
“You have to ensure that democracy matures in such a manner in Africa, where the previous president does not make it his business to fight the current president, you must allow the new to lead with all their force because you were the same, it doesn’t mean you are perfect”.
“No African leader, who is on retirement, should lead from the grave. They must all be like all other progressive former presidents who are statements at home, waiting for courtesy visits and consultations, and attending to other state functions. Those are the duties of former presidents because Africa must be stable, Africa must go through democracy at all times,” Mr Malema said.
Mr. Malema also urged African leaders to refrain from going above and beyond what is required by their constitutions when governing their people.
He emphasized that democratic systems require elections to be held after a predetermined amount of time, and that leaders who are voted out of office should do so peacefully and without resorting to the use of force to stay in office.
“We call on all African leaders not to leave an office with a coffin. When the time comes for them to go they must leave without calling the army to to extend their term” he said at an event in Accra organised by Arise Ghana, titled, ‘A Day of Dialogue With Julius Malema.’
“No one is born a leader. No one is a traditional leader in a political office. If you want to be a traditional leader, go and fight in your tribe for those types of issues. We don’t subscribe to people who want to leave a political office with a coffin,” he added.
