ANC orders Zuma to resign as South African president
Leader refuses to quit for at least three months despite pressure
South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) party has formally asked President Jacob Zuma to resign, following marathon talks by senior party officials.
ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule told reporters that the National Executive Committee decided Zuma’s departure should be "treated with urgency", the BBC reports, but the 75-year-old has agreed only to step down within the next three to six months.
ANC leader Cyril Ramaphosa reportedly left a 13-hour executive committee meeting around midnight last night local time and drove to the president’s official residence to deliver an ultimatum to Zuma.
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.
The ANC “has the authority to order Zuma to step down as head of state”, Reuters says, but the party has no constitutional power to remove the president from office if he refuses to abide by the decision.
The move comes after weeks of mounting pressure for Zuma to resign after nine years as president, which have been “marred by economic decline and multiple charges of corruption,” The Guardian says.
Zuma is also facing a no-confidence motion in parliament, scheduled for 22 February.
Opposition leader Mmusi Maimane, who heads the Democratic Alliance party, has announced that opposition parties would back the no-confidence motion, and has called for early elections to bring an end to the turmoil.
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
-
'It may not be surprising that creative work is used without permission'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
5 simple items to help make your airplane seat more comfortable
The Week Recommends Gel cushions and inflatable travel pillows make a world of difference
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
How safe are cruise ships in storms?
The Explainer The vessels are always prepared
By Devika Rao, The Week US 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