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Tag: ANC

  • South Africa’s new coalition government unveiled

    South Africa’s new coalition government unveiled

    South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has unveiled a new coalition government, after his ruling African National Congress (ANC) party lost its parliamentary majority in May’s elections.

    He said “the government of national unity… is unprecedented in the history of our democracy”.

    The ANC will have 20 out of 32 cabinet posts, while the Democratic Alliance (DA) – until now the main opposition party – will hold six. Six other portfolios are shared amongst smaller parties.

    The shrinking of ANC support in the elections reflected public frustration over its poor record on delivering basic services and tackling unemployment, poverty and corruption.

    The ANC under Nelson Mandela achieved its aim of ending white-minority rule in South Africa in 1994.

    In the new cabinet, the ANC will keep key ministries such as defence, finance and foreign affairs.

    The DA’s portfolios include home affairs and public works. Party leader John Steenhuisen will lead the agriculture ministry.

    In a televised speech on Sunday, Mr Ramaphosa said: “The incoming government will prioritise rapid, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and creation of a more just society.”

    The ANC welcomed the move as “an important step forward, and a testament to the resilience of our democracy”.

    Meanwhile, the DA said it was “proud to rise to the challenge and take our place, for the first time, at the seat of national government”.

    It also pledged “good governance, zero tolerance for corruption and pragmatic policy-making”.

    Despite a coalition cabinet deal, stark political disagreements remain between the ANC and the DA.

    Perhaps the biggest and most contentious issues are DA opposition to the ANC’s national healthcare policy and to its black economic empowerment programme.

    In May’s elections the ANC got 40% of the vote, while the DA secured 22%.

  • Mudavadi party to merge with Ruto’s UDA ahead of 2027 elections

    Mudavadi party to merge with Ruto’s UDA ahead of 2027 elections

    The process to merge the Amani National Congress (ANC) with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has officially begun.

    The development was announced during a meeting with ANC officials led by former party leader and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi at State House Nairobi.

    Speaking during the meeting, ANC party leader Issa Timamy said the merger has been long overdue, adding that the two parties not only share visions but also aspirations that will move the country forward.

    “I have no doubt in my mind that this idea is one whose time has come. In politics and governance, the overriding objective of participating in politics as politicians and political parties is to win and form government. This is what the proposed merger of our parties aims to achieve,” said Timamy.

    On his part, Mudavadi argued that it would be impractical for ANC to field a Presidential candidate to compete against President William Ruto in 2027, saying the party stands to gain more by working with the UDA.

    “You can be penny wise but pound foolish. Politically, as ANC, let’s not be penny wise and pound foolish; let’s be part of a bigger formation,” Mudavadi stated.

    “After my moment of meditation, I concluded that the best place for me to work in consultation and direct ANC to is with President William Ruto. I am satisfied that with President Ruto, you are in safe hands. The alternative would have been to be quiet and let you go into the wilderness,” he added.

    President Ruto affirmed his commitment to transforming Kenya’s political landscape by moving away from personality and tribal-based politics to ideology-driven parties.

    “I am committed to making sure that we change the politics of Kenya so that political parties in the future do not represent personalities or tribes but are identified by their manifesto, plans, and vision for the country,” he said.

    The head of state noted that the decision by ANC to work with UDA was initially met with skepticism but has borne fruit in the long run.

    “When ANC made the decision to work with UDA, many people were unsure if it was the right decision. However, it proved to be the right decision because we formed the government. This merger is the right decision because we will have a stronger party and a stronger Kenya going into the future,” he stated.