Julius Malema, the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has vociferously condemned the British High Commission for denying him entry to the United Kingdom. Scheduled to speak at the 11th Annual Cambridge Africa Together Conference at Cambridge University this weekend, Malema’s absence has sparked allegations from the EFF that the denial is a calculated move to suppress political dissent.
Taking to social media, Malema expressed his outrage, framing the bureaucratic hurdles as a manifestation of imperialism aimed at stifling voices critical of the UK’s historical actions. “The United Kingdom is not only suppressing academic freedom by essentially banning the President of the EFF from travelling to the country,” the party stated in a release. It termed the decision as “an open declaration of war against those who dare to stand up to warmongers such as the British Monarchy.” The EFF has long been outspoken against the role of the British Monarchy in various historical atrocities, including its involvement in the slave trade and the colonial oppression faced by countries such as Kenya during the Mau Mau rebellion.
The denial of Malema’s visa application, the EFF insists, is a direct consequence of his vociferous critique of figures such as former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, accused of ushering chaos in Iraq under the false pretext of searching for weapons of mass destruction. This incident serves not merely as a personal grievance for Malema but rather as a broader attack, according to the EFF, on the movement for global solidarity against imperialism and capitalism.
In a statement, the EFF encapsulated its sentiments: “This bureaucratic ban is a response to the condemnation by the CIC of blood thirsty murderers such as former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.” The party has reiterated its determination to challenge imperialist ideologies despite any attempts to silence its leaders.