Anc In South Africa Holds Talks With Five Parties About A Potential Partnership

After the long-ruling African National Congress (ANC) lost its 30-year majority in last week’s election, no party was able to take its place, leading to a deadlock in the elections. The largest party continued to be the ANC.

The main opposition Democratic Alliance, the extreme left Economic Freedom Fighters, and three other smaller parties had held “exploratory” talks, according to ANC spokeswoman Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, who briefed media on the matter. She claimed that although the ANC had “repeatedly” asked for negotiations with former President Jacob Zuma’s new MK Party, there had been “no positive response.”

Former ANC leader Zuma is now bitterly critical of current President Cyril Ramaphosa and has abandoned the party.

“National unity” is the goal of the talks with other parties, according to the ANC, and a formal coalition is not the only way to achieve this goal.

It might include more parties in the agreement than just those whose total vote share can lead them to a majority. In addition, the ANC has the ability to create a minority government. Bhengu-Motsiri stated that if it were in the best interests of the nation, the ANC might even think about joining the opposition.