Meanwhile: south Africa
South Africa's African National Congress (ANC) will invite other political parties to form a government of national unity, its leader President Cyril Ramaphosa has said.
After last week's election in which the ANC lost its majority for the first time since the end of the racist system of apartheid 30 years ago - former liberation movement once led by Nelson Mandela has run South Africa since it swept to power in a 1994 election that marked the end of white minority rule
But it was punished for its chequered record in last week's vote.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced late Thursday.
“We have agreed to invite political parties to form a government of national unity, the best option to move our country forward,’’
ANC's nearest rivals are the pro-business, white-led Democratic Alliance (DA), with 87 seats;
the populist uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) led by former President Jacob Zuma, with 58;
and the hard-left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) with 39.
The party, which used to secure more than 60% in all elections since 1994, except in 2019, when its share dipped to 57.5%, got only 40.18% of the vote. This has put it in a difficult position to form a government on its own.
the NEC agreed that for the country to successfully overcome the challenges it faces, there is a need for a unity government and collaboration among political parties.
Unity government is S Africa's best option - Ramaphosa
This year he was able to take his loyal supporters with him to MK, which is named after the ANC’s former armed wing and holds huge political symbolism because of its role in fighting for the end of white-minority rule.
Many politicians can rely on a loyal core of backers, but Mr Zuma’s ability to genuinely connect with the poor and marginalised is what sets him apart. Cyril Ramaphosa replaced him as president and Mr Zuma became a political pariah and a damaged brand.
Jacob Zuma has made a dramatic comeback in South Africa’s elections
https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/05/africa/jacob-zuma-comeback-south-africa-elections-intl/index.html
South Africa’s election results present 3 options for government: all are fraught with danger
ICYMI
How Mandela’s once revered ANC lost its way with infighting and scandals
https://apnews.com/article/south-africa-election-anc-decline-cf154312e3dc5c1b5ee615b82ba0c080
Elected, accused of corruption - fired, accused of rape - acquitted, elected president, accused of corruption again - denied again, ousted, imprisoned for contempt of court - freed, barred from becoming an MP.
For most politicians almost any of these punches would have proved fatal to their career, but not for South Africa’s Jacob Zuma