South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, Julius Malema, has expressed support for the ongoing anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests in the country.

In a statement, Malema stressed that Kenya must resist the influence of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, whom he accused of orchestrating the drafting of the Bill.

Malema affirmed that his party “stands in solidarity with the people of Kenya,” describing the controversial Bill proposals as “exploitative.”

“The Finance Bill, which aims to raise $2.7 billion in additional taxes, will undoubtedly raise the cost of living and production, further burdening the people of Kenya, who like us, are already living under dire economic conditions,” he said.

While President William Ruto’s administration has advocated for the Bill’s anticipated long-term benefits, Malema argues for severing ties with the IMF and the World Bank, pointing to their track record of “undermining the sovereignty of developing countries.”

“The IMF and World Bank have a notorious history of treating African economies like lab rats for neoliberal templates,” he said.