The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), led by party leader Julius Malema, announced on Monday their support for the ongoing demonstrations in Kenya against the 2024 Finance Bill.
In a statement, the South African party commended Kenyans for courageously opposing the exploitative legislation that has led to severe taxation.
The EFF’s endorsement of the Kenyan protests comes amid rising tensions and widespread public discontent over the Finance Bill 2024, which proposes increased taxes.
The bill has ignited a series of protests, drawing attention to the broader economic challenges faced by many developing nations.
The party’s statement did not merely express solidarity with the Kenyan protesters but also criticized the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.
The EFF attributed the ongoing protests in Kenya to these international financial institutions, holding them responsible for the punitive taxes outlined in the Finance Bill 2024.
“The 2024 Finance Bill is the result of a recommendation from the International Monetary Fund and World Bank to the Kenyan government.
This is therefore part of a broader problem faced by many developing nations under the yoke of the IMF and World Bank loans,” read part of the statement.
The Malema-led party drew parallels between Kenya’s situation and that of South Africa, highlighting the negative impact of international lenders’ conditions on developing countries.
According to the EFF, these lenders often provide multibillion-dollar loans with onerous terms that have long-term detrimental effects on the recipient nations.
The statement underscored the predatory nature of such financial arrangements, which disproportionately affect African countries.
Kenyan youth were praised for their activism and for challenging the policies of these international lenders.
The EFF urged the Kenyan government to prioritize policies that genuinely benefit its citizens.
“We commend the bravery of the Kenyan protesters and stand with them in their peaceful protest against the recommendation of the World Bank and IMF to the Kenyan government to impose exploitative legislation that seeks to impose crippling tax,” read the statement in part.
The EFF is not alone in its stance. Other prominent voices across the continent have also expressed their concerns.
The African Union Commission on Human Rights criticized the Kenyan government’s decision to raise taxes, which would disproportionately affect the majority of Kenyans.
Last week, the commission called on the administration to explore alternative revenue streams and demanded the release of over 200 Kenyans detained during the demonstrations.
The widespread opposition to the Finance Bill 2024 underscores a critical issue facing many developing nations: the struggle to balance economic development with the demands and conditions imposed by international financial institutions.
The EFF’s support for the Kenyan protests highlights a growing continental solidarity against such exploitative financial practices and calls for a re-evaluation of how developing nations engage with global lenders.
As the protests continue, the EFF’s backing adds a significant voice to the chorus of those demanding economic justice and fair governance in Kenya and beyond.
The outcome of these protests and the international response will likely have far-reaching implications for the relationship between developing countries and their financial benefactors.
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