The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party of South Africa has released a statement on the protests in Kenya and extended solidarity to the people of Kenya.
The EFF slammed the Kenyan government for its handling of the protests and for allegedly using excessive force against protesters. They underlined the imperative for all Kenyan citizens to express their will and free speech in peace, citing respect for democratic conventions and human rights.
According to EFF, the bravery demonstrated by Kenyan youth to refuse the taxes imposed by the IMF and World Bank through the Kenyan government is commendable.
“Your town hall statement demonstrated sensitivity to the real underlying issues causing this protest; socio-economic inequality, political corruption, and a lack of social services. 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” said part of the statement issued by the South African party.
They called on the Kenyan government to hold “serious negotiations with protesters and to take steps to address their grievances. The EFF further likened the situation in Kenya to similar occurrences nationwide, suggesting a broader trend of unhappiness at government practices and leadership throughout Africa. It was in this assertion that the EFF stated its continuing solidarity with struggles for social justice and economic liberation in Africa.