South Africa’s African National Congress party has reached a broad agreement with the main opposition and other parties to form a coalition government, a first for the country at the national level. The announcement comes ahead of the first sitting of South Africa’s new Parliament, where lawmakers will elect the president.
The ANC, which lost its long-held parliamentary majority in the recent election, needs help from other parties to reelect President Cyril Ramaphosa. The main opposition Democratic Alliance and smaller parties have agreed on the principle of forming a “government of national unity” with the ANC.
Lawmakers are expected to elect the country’s president on Friday, following negotiations between the ANC and opposition parties. The ANC won 40% of the national vote in the election, with the DA and the newly formed uMkhonto weSizwe Party also securing significant percentages.
While the Inkatha Freedom Party has agreed to join the national unity government, the MK Party has refused to participate, citing concerns about the election results. The Constitutional Court dismissed the MK Party’s application to interdict the chief justice from convening the first sitting, allowing the proceedings to move forward.
The rift between the DA and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) remains a sticking point, as the EFF has stated it will not be part of any arrangement involving the DA. The ANC may have to form a national unity government that excludes the EFF and the MK Party, reflecting broader ideological differences in South African politics.
As negotiations continue, the formation of a coalition government at the provincial level also remains uncertain, with the ANC failing to maintain a majority in several provinces. The outcome of these discussions will shape the future of governance in South Africa.