Prominent South African politician, Julius Malema has advised African leaders to peacefully relinquish power after serving their terms in office.

According to him, democracy dictates that elections are held after some number of years. Therefore, when one is voted out of power they should peacefully exit without attempting to use the military to extend their tenure.

“We call on all African leaders not to leave an office with a coffin. When the time comes for them to go they must leave without calling the army to to extend their term" he said at an event in Accra organised by Arise Ghana, titled, 'A Day of Dialogue With Julius Malema.'

“No one is born a leader. No one is a traditional leader in a political office. If you want to be a traditional leader, go and fight in your tribe for those types of issues. We don’t subscribe to people who want to leave a political office with a coffin,” he said 

He explained that African leaders will enjoy all benefits due them, such as the payment of pensions, protection, and state burials when they pass on, as long as they respect their successors and help ensure that democracy matures.

“Where the previous president does not make it his business to fight the current president, you must allow the new president to lead with all their faults because you were the same. It does not mean they are perfect. The young ones who are coming after you will challenge the current one,” he added.

He continued "No African leader who is on retirement should lead from the grave."

He emphasised that they must be old men and women who will sit at home and wait for courtesy visits and consultations and attend other state functions."