SOUTH AFRICA/FILE: South Africa's African National Congress (ANC) decides to oust President Thabo Mbeki before end of his term

Record ID: 452427

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA/FILE: South Africa's African National Congress (ANC) decides to oust President Thabo Mbeki before end of his term
  • Date: 21st September 2008
  • Summary: (W3) HARARE, ZIMBABWE (RECENT - SEPTEMBER 15, 2008) (REUTERS) TABLE WITH SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT THABO MBEKI, NEW ZIMBABWE PRIME MINISTER MORGAN TSVANGIRAI AND ZIMBABWE'S PRESIDENT ROBERT MUGABE SEATED NEW ZIMBABWE PRIME MINISTER MORGAN TSVANGIRAI SIGNING ZIMBABWE'S PRESIDENT ROBERT MUGABE SIGNING SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT THABO MBEKI SIGNING WIDE OF TABLE AND LEADERS SIGNING MBEKI, MUGABE AND TSVANGIRAI SHAKING HANDS AND POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPH
  • Embargoed: 6th October 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Domestic Politics,People
  • Reuters ID: LVA278Q5USDVEUSA83VF0AMOIRHZ
  • Story Text: South Africa's ruling party has decided to oust President Thabo Mbeki before the end of his term next year and he has agreed to step aside, a senior official said on Saturday (September 20).
    The decision by the African National Congress (ANC) to remove Mbeki, who is favoured by investors for his pro-business policies, threatens to raise political instability in Africa's economic powerhouse 14 years after its transition from the end of white minority rule.
    If Mbeki does resign and the replacement process is smooth, however, investor reaction may be muted.
    "After a long and difficult discussion, the ANC decided to recall the president of the Republic before his term of office expires and our decision has been communicated to him. The formalities are now subject of the parliamentary processes and I can assure you, they will take place in a way that will ensure smooth running of the government," ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe told a news conference.
    Mantashe said Mbeki, who has ruled South Africa since taking over from Nelson Mandela in 1999 and was due to leave office in April, 2009, had "welcomed the news" when he was told. He said he would accept the decision.
    Mbeki had led the ANC for about a decade until last year when he was defeated by Jacob Zuma in a bitterly contested election.
    Zuma had been the frontrunner to succeed Mbeki, a transition that was expected to occur next year after general elections. It is unclear whether Zuma, who has strong support from trade unions, would immediately step into the breach left by Mbeki.
    Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka could assume the presidency but she has signalled she will resign along with Mbeki. Cabinet ministers and the speaker of parliament would follow in the succession line depending on how Mbeki is removed.
    It is generally expected that parliament, which is dominated by the ANC, will elect a new president within 30 days. Baleka Mbete, the speaker of parliament and a Zuma loyalist, has been mentioned as the most likely one to lead the transition.
    Mantashe said the ANC would ask Mbeki's cabinet ministers, including Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, to remain in their positions in the transition period for the sake of stability.
    Mbeki's presidency ended after a heated debate within the ANC executive committee over his future in the wake of allegations he had meddled in corruption case against Zuma.
    Trade unions and ANC members have accused Mbeki and his senior aides of plotting to smear Zuma and derail his hopes of succeeding Mbeki. The South African leader has consistently denied any involvement in the prosecution.
    Last week a judge dismissed the charges against Zuma, which were linked to an arms deal, and suggested that there had been high-level political involvement in the case. The ruling spurred Zuma militants within the executive to demand Mbeki's head.
    Mbeki's departure, especially if followed by others in cabinet, particularly Finance Minister Manuel, could heighten concerns about the country's economic direction.
    Growth has slowed this year in South Africa, struggling to contain a sharp rise in inflation and the fallout from an electricity crisis that has dented the economy, particularly the important mining sector.
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