Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Johannesburg (Agenzia Fides) – “Uncertainty.” This has been the most common word in the commentaries and reports coming from the South African press following the resignation of President Thabo Mbeki. “"I have been a loyal member of the African National Congress for 52 years. I remain a member of the ANC and therefore respect its decisions. It is for this reason that I've taken the decision to resign as president of the republic,” Mbeki said on September 20, in a speech informing the nation as to his decision.
The Executive Committee of the ANC called for Mbeki’s removal from office one year ahead of time, for his alleged involvement in a scheme to take Jacob Zuma, leader of the ANC and his main rival in the party (see Fides 19/12/2007), to court. The court resolved the case by a vice of form, further declaring that he had tried to condition the legal action.
Mbeki’s term was scheduled to end in April 2009 and, according to the Constitution, the former President would not have been able to run in another Presidential race. According to the Constitution, the government should also resign. However, it seems that an “ad interim” President will be appointed, probable Mbelete Mbete who is a close cohort of Zuma, allowing for the current government to remain in office, although there will probably be substitutions of Ministers who are too sympathetic to the former president.
Experts in South African politics and a large part of the local press are wondering as to the convenience of forcing a President to resign just months before the end of his term. Many accuse the party of having placed the interests of the party and its leaders over public interest.
The critics point to the fact that while the leaders of the ANC concentrate energies on internal conflict, the country is facing very serious problems that call for the State’s intervention and that of its major leaders. There are issues such as: unemployment, widespread crime, and the spread of AIDS. Then there is the upcoming World Cup 2010, an event that was sought by the former President as an opportunity to present a renewed country, capable of attracting foreign investment.
According to experts, with Mbeki’s resignation, a period of uncertainty is begun that threatens to slow down government action. In particular, there is fear of an increase of internal divisions in the ANC, and even a splitting-off of the group that favored Mbeki.
However, Mbeki’s resignation could also be a positive sign: it seems strange that in Africa a President presents his resignation and that just hours later he loses the confidence of his party (which holds the majority in Parliament). In this light, we could say that the event inspires confidence in South African democracy. Now it is up to the ANC leaders to guide the country with responsibility towards the upcoming elections. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 22/9/2008)
