The African National Congress (ANC) party in South Africa has firmly rejected any demands from potential coalition partners for President Cyril Ramaphosa to step down, a senior official declared on Sunday.
This comes as the ANC strives to maintain a unified stance following an election result that ended its 30-year majority.
As the country prepares for complex negotiations to form a national coalition government for the first time, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula stressed that Ramaphosa would continue as the party leader.
He made it clear that any demands for Ramaphosa’s resignation as a prerequisite for coalition talks were “a no-go area”.
“President Ramaphosa is the president of the ANC,” Mbalula said in the leadership’s first public response to the significant election results.
“If you come to us with that demand that Ramaphosa is going to step down as president, that is not going to happen.”
A senior official declared on Sunday that South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) will not consider any demands from potential coalition partners for President Cyril Ramaphosa to step down.
This statement follows an election result that ended the ANC’s 30-year majority, as the party attempts to maintain a united front.
As South Africa prepares for complex negotiations to form a national coalition government for the first time, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula confirmed that Ramaphosa will stay on as party leader.
He made it clear that any calls for Ramaphosa’s resignation as a prerequisite for coalition discussions are “a no-go area.”
“President Ramaphosa is the president of the ANC,” Mbalula said in the ANC leadership’s initial public reaction to the landmark election results.
“If you come to us with the demand that Ramaphosa is going to step down as president, that is not going to happen.”
Amidst South Africa’s post-election landscape, the new MK Party, spearheaded by former President Jacob Zuma, has emerged as the third-largest party in parliament, securing 14% of the vote.
Surprising many, the MK Party has laid down a condition for coalition talks with the ANC: President Ramaphosa must step down from his leadership roles within the ANC and the country.
Despite this stipulation, the ANC is actively engaging with various parties to explore coalition possibilities.
Among these discussions is the potential for dialogue with the main opposition Democratic Alliance, which garnered 21% of the votes.
“We’re willing to engage with all parties,” affirmed Mbalula. “Given the absence of a clear majority from the election results, we’re open to discussions and prioritising stability in the nation.”
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