Rédaction Africa Links 24 with The Observer
Published on 2024-02-01 22:07:15
The African National Congress (ANC) has suspended the membership of former President Jacob Zuma for campaigning for a different political party, marking the latest development in the ongoing feud between Zuma and current President Cyril Ramaphosa. This decision came after a press conference in December where Zuma announced his support for the new uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) Party due to his dissatisfaction with Ramaphosa’s leadership.
The ANC cited Zuma’s irreconcilability with the party’s constitution as grounds for the suspension. The ANC, under Ramaphosa’s leadership, has been in power for three decades since the end of apartheid rule in South Africa. Zuma led the party from 2007 to 2018 and served as the president of Africa’s most advanced economy during that time.
Zuma’s tenure as president was marred by corruption allegations, leading to his forced resignation in 2018. The allegations stem from a multibillion-dollar arms deal between the South African government and French weapons manufacturer Thales, which occurred over 20 years ago when Zuma was the deputy president. Zuma has pleaded not guilty to all the charges and has maintained that the trial is politically motivated.
Despite the fraud allegations, Zuma still maintains a level of support in South Africa. In 2021, when he was sent to prison for refusing a court order to provide evidence, mass protests erupted, resulting in over 300 deaths. The ANC is now facing a challenging election year, with rising poverty, increasing unemployment, and claims of unfulfilled promises to deliver a better life for South Africans.
The party may be forced to form a coalition as polls suggest that it might fall below 50 percent of the national vote for the first time in its history. The ongoing feud between Zuma and Ramaphosa, along with the corruption allegations, has further complicated the political landscape in South Africa.
The decision to suspend Zuma’s ANC membership reflects the party’s efforts to distance itself from individuals facing corruption charges and to project a commitment to clean governance. However, the situation also highlights the challenges facing the ANC as it navigates a complex political environment and seeks to maintain its position as the leading political party in South Africa.
The ANC’s suspension of Zuma’s membership underscores the deep-seated divisions within the party and the larger political landscape in South Africa. The outcome of the upcoming elections and the ongoing legal proceedings against Zuma will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the country’s political future.
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