CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – FEBRUARY 14: Julius Malema, leader of the EFF at the Debate on 2022 State Of The Nation (SONA) at Cape Town City Hall on February 14, 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa. The National Assembly (NA) and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) held joint sittings to debate the State of the Nation Address (SONA), which President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered at the Cape Town City Hall on 10 February. (Photo by Gallo Images/Jeffrey Abrahams).
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – FEBRUARY 14: Julius Malema, leader of the EFF at the Debate on 2022 State Of The Nation (SONA) at Cape Town City Hall on February 14, 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa. The National Assembly (NA) and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) held joint sittings to debate the State of the Nation Address (SONA), which President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered at the Cape Town City Hall on 10 February. (Photo by Gallo Images/Jeffrey Abrahams).
Julius Malema and the EFF have pledged their allegiance to Moscow once more on Monday – just hours after the EU condemned Russia for committing war crimes in parts of Ukraine.
EFF, Malema offer unconditional support to Russia
The city of Mariupol has been bombarded by air-strikes and military fire. Civilian targets have been killed, and shelling continues to decimated the Ukrainian territory. Only a staunch defence has prevented Putin’s forces from capturing Mariupol, but it’s not clear how long the resistance can hold out for.
So, given that Mzansi is now celebrating Human Rights Day, the irony of the EFF’s full and unconditional support for Russia won’t be lost on most South Africans. Malema argues that the SA population must back Russia no matter what, due to their historical ties with this country.
“Russia has been with us during the difficult times! They have the full support of the EFF. Palestinians are being killed on a daily basis, but we never heard a call to sanction Israel. But now the white man is being killed in Ukraine, all of us are being told to denounce Russia.”
“We will never denounce Russia, though. We will never condemn them. The Russians gave us the AK-47s we needed to liberate ourselves. They equipped us with weapons and gave us money to fight apartheid. Many of the people leading South Africa today went to school in Russia – they believed SA would have a black government.”
EFF leader Julius Malema
‘War crimes being committed in Mariupol’ – EU
Malema is no stranger to taking controversial positions – and his backing for the Kremlin has been enabled by the ANC’s ‘quiet diplomacy’ on the matter. However, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs – Josep Borrell – hasn’t minced his words on Monday. In fact, he believes the Mariupol siege is ‘an inhumane act’.
“This is a war crime, a massive war crime, what’s happening in Mariupol, The city will be completely destroyed, and people will be — are dying. Russia is bombarding and killing everyone, and we have to condemn them in the strongest terms. We will continue to work with Ukraine, and support them however we can.”
Josep Borrell
"Lo que está sucediendo en #Mariupol es un crimen de guerra masivo. Esa es la palabra. Tenemos que decirlo. Es algo horrible, lo condenamos en los términos más enérgicos". AR/VP @JosepBorrellF antes del #FAC de hoyhttps://t.co/0OmZ8A8DhW pic.twitter.com/twp3Hw7kLu pic.twitter.com/ir7eo0l7ca
— Montse García (@montse__garcia) March 21, 2022
