South African President Jacob Zuma resigns after his party pressured him to step down amid corruptio

[DonViejo]

Source: The Washington Post




By Krista Mahr February 14 at 3:58 PM

BREAKING: South African President Jacob Zuma resigned on Wednesday, bringing to a close a nine-year tenure that has been dogged by corruption scandals and seen a steady decline in the popularity of the African National Congress, Nelson Mandela’s historic liberation movement.

His resignation came after a week of intense pressure, culminating in leaders of the ruling ANC ordering him to step down on Tuesday. Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, who replaced Zuma as ANC leader in December, is expected to become acting president, according to South African law.

Zuma is a veteran of the fight against apartheid and was imprisoned on Robben Island at the same time as Mandela. To his critics, Zuma’s early departure — his term as head of state was not up until next year — marks the end of a frustrating era in which the president’s name became nearly synonymous with the use of the public office for personal gain.

This story will be updated.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/south-africas-anc-demands-zuma-resignation-threatening-no-confidence-vote/2018/02/14/02e1d06e-1173-11e8-9065-e55346f6de81_story.html?

[BlueMTexpat]

1. At long last ...

the Zuma Era has not been good for anyone in South Africa - apart from Zuma, his family, and his friends - confirming the worst stereotypes. What a disappointment for all those who believed in him!

It's somewhat like the Trump Mafia - but Zuma at least had paid a lot of dues for his political beliefs before ascending to the Presidency. Trump NO.

[muriel_volestrangler]

2. Cyril Ramaphosa declared president of South Africa

Cyril Ramaphosa has been elected president of South Africa by a parliamentary vote less than 16 hours after the resignation of his rival Jacob Zuma, following days of defiant refusal to leave office.

The appointment of Ramaphosa – who, as deputy president, became interim leader immediately after Zuma’s late-night resignation on Wednesday – as head of state was announced by South Africa’s chief justice in Cape Town who presided over the vote.
...
The Economic Freedom Fighters, a radical left wing opposition party, walked out of parliament, saying the assembly was illegitimate and new elections were necessary.

Mmusi Maimane, leader of the opposition Democratic Alliance, offered congratulations and pledged his party would “cooperate” if the new president “acts in the interests of the people of South Africa”.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/15/cyril-ramaphosa-to-be-elected-president-of-south-africa-jacob-zuma