Pressure mounts on South Africa’s Jacob Zuma to go as ANC meets
Today the executive body of South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) will convene to decide on whether to request the resignation of President Jacob Zuma.
Despite this meeting’s being originally scheduled for last week, it was postponed when Zuma and his potential replacement ANC leader Cyril Ramaphosa entered into private “constructive discussions” on the transition of power. So far there have been no reports as to these talks’ success or failure.
Over the years Zuma has weathered numerous charges of corruption that have tarnished both his popularity and the ANC’s. Although the party has led the country since the end of apartheid in 1994, public support has slid to all-time lows. Now, its leaders must choose to cut ties with the current president or wait until his term ends next year.
Both decisions hold risk. Although Zuma’s presidency damages the party’s national image, ousting him may only deepen the growing ANC divisions. Regardless, today’s meeting is a sign of the end for Zuma, the next being a confidence vote on February 22.
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