Jacob Zuma: will South African leaders fire the president?
ANC leadership are locked in a meeting to decide the 75-year-old’s fate
African National Congress party leaders are deciding the future of South African President Jacob Zuma, the 75-year-old strongman who refuses to step down and face corruption charges after almost nine years in power.
Nearly five days of talks between Zuma and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, who took over leadership of the governing ANC in December, have failed to convince Zuma to leave.
The National Executive Committee (NEC) is likely to emerge from today’s meeting demanding Zuma’s resignation, although the meeting may not conclude until late on Monday if all 112 NEC want to voice their views, the BBC says.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What happens if Zuma doesn’t resign?
If Zuma refuses an order to step down, he will face a no-confidence vote in parliament “that he would almost certainly lose”, The Guardian reports. Under ANC rules, elected officials fulfil their functions according to the party’s will. The process could drag on for several months, however.
Why has Zuma’s departure taken so long?
Ramaphosa reportedly wants to avoid a divisive end to the matter, although some ANC leaders want a “quick exit” for Zuma, says HuffPost.
What will Zuma’s departure cost?
Zuma is likely to want to leave with a guaranteed salary and immunity from corruption charges. South Africa’s Business Day newspaper compares Zuma’s departure to the ousting of Robert Mugabe, who stepped down in Zimbabwe after making a deal that included a $10m (£7.24m) salary for life.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 3, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - presidential pitching, wavering convictions, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
Who are the markets backing in the US election?
Talking Point Speculators are piling in on the Trump trade. A Harris victory would come as a surprise
By The Week UK Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published