Politics

South Africa’s ruling ANC to sue Zuma’s MK party

Published

8 months ago

March 20, 2024

Ahead of what could be the most significant election in the nation’s past 30 years, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa is challenging the independent electoral authority and a rival political party headed by a former president, exposing tensions in the country.

The African National Congress (ANC) claims that the newly formed uMkhonto weSizwe (Spear of the Nation) party failed to register in September. The election court in the nation’s heartland, Bloemfontein, heard the case on Tuesday.

Led by former ANC leader and South African president Jacob Zuma, the new party, dubbed MK, may be deregistered and unable to run in the May 29 national elections. Several MK officials threatened to start a “civil war” and declared they would not tolerate being disqualified.

Using the name of the ANC’s now-disbanded military wing, which Nelson Mandela had formed, MK sows discord within the party.

In separate legal actions, the African National Congress (ANC) is contesting the use of the name uMkhonto weSizwe and a logo that is very similar to that of its former military component due to copyright infringement.

Zuma’s choice to back MK has given the fierce competition a new dimension. In recent months, the two parties have insulted one other. The leaders of the new party were referred to as Zuma’s “chihuahuas” by ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, who dubbed Zuma “the most destructive person” to South Africa’s democratic progress.

Due to accusations of corruption, Zuma was removed from office as South Africa’s president in 2018. He is presently being tried for corruption, however the proceedings have been delayed for a long time. He has been a harsh opponent of Cyril Ramaphosa, the current president of South Africa, and the African National Congress (ANC).

Mr. Zuma’s ANC membership was suspended for openly endorsing Mr. MK. Both he and Mbalula were present in the Electoral Court on Tuesday.

After the racial segregation system of apartheid ended in 1994, the African National Congress (ANC) ruled South Africa for 30 years. However, this year’s election is likely to be its most difficult test to date.

According to many surveys, the ANC will experience its first-ever majority loss and will need to form a coalition to maintain power.

Although South Africa has a legislative form of government, the president is also the head of state and has executive authority. The practice is uncommon among heads of state in nations with parliamentary systems, which are frequently led by prime ministers and have a separation of powers.

The most recent survey, which was carried out in February and March, indicates that MK, which has a strong following in Zuma’s home province of KwaZulu-Natal and is predicted to gain popularity there, might emerge as the third largest party in South Africa during its first national election.

The ANC has refuted claims that the lawsuit is a response to Zuma and MK’s political threat.

South Africans are also upset by MK’s response to the legal action, especially by remarks made by KwaZulu-Natal party official Visvin Reddy. “Listen to me very carefully,” Mr. Reddy said in a speech earlier this month. “This country will descend into civil war the day MK is not allowed to campaign and be on the ballot. No one will vote. No one in this country will vote. We will make sure of it.”

Source; https://www.africanews.com/2024/03/19/south-africa-anc-takes-new-opposition-party-to-court/

Related Topics:Featured Jacob Zuma South Africa

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Politics

Mali’s junta names spokesman Abdoulaye Maiga new Prime Minister

Published

3 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

A day after dismissing Choguel Maiga for criticising the government, Mali’s governing junta named its spokesperson, Abdoulaye Maiga, as Prime Minister on Thursday, according to state broadcaster, ORTM.

A source close to Choguel Maiga told Reuters that the ruling generals were incensed by Maiga’s remarks over the weekend denouncing the junta’s inability to hold elections within the 24-month timeframe given for the return to democracy.

After promising to hold elections in February, the military authorities, who took control in two separate coups in 2020 and 2021, have put off the poll indefinitely, citing technological difficulties.

Choguel Maiga’s firing coincides with indications of growing discontent and disarray among Mali politicians, even those who first supported the coup and collaborated with the junta.

As the wait for elections continues, Choguel Maiga, a civilian prime minister who was installed by the military junta in 2021, is the most recent to lose support.

He was cited on Saturday as claiming he learnt of the junta’s decision via the media and that there had been no discussion regarding the delay of the elections inside the cabinet.

“It’s all happening in total secrecy, without the prime minister’s knowledge,” Choguel Maiga told reporters.

Before then, he had frequently stood up for Mali’s junta against criticism from foreign friends and neighbours in West Africa who denounced its repeated election delays and military collaboration with Russian mercenaries.

As government spokesperson, Abdoulaye Maiga, the new prime minister, has also made strong public remarks against France, the previous colonial master. One such speech was demanding French President Emmanuel Macron to stop his “neocolonial” and “condescending” behaviour.

Abdoulaye Maiga and Assimi Goita, the leaders of the junta, announced they had kept all of the important cabinet ministers in their portfolios in the new administration in a statement that was broadcast on state television ORTM.

The announcement said that Abdoulaye Maiga will remain minister of territory administration.

Politics

Congo opposition mobilizes protests against constitution review

Published

1 day ago

November 21, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

In response to President Felix Tshisekedi’s intentions to amend the constitution, opposition lawmakers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have called for national protests on Wednesday.

Tshisekedi, who was sworn in for his second and last term in January, said that a panel would be formed in October to recommend possible constitutional amendments.

According to critics, it may be a ploy to lift term restrictions and give him another chance to run.

Tshisekedi said the current constitution, ratified by a referendum in 2005, needed to change because it did not align with the country’s current realities.

Opposition politicians, including former president Joseph Kabila and past presidential candidates Martin Fayulu and Moise Katumbi, issued a unified statement on Wednesday urging rallies to “block” Tshisekedi.

A request for a response from the Congo’s presidency was not answered.

Patrick Muyaya, the minister of communications, stated on Monday that discussions surrounding the constitutional revision should be de-politicized and that no one should doubt the president’s intentions.

“We’re at the beginning of our mandate… The President of the Republic still has four years to go, and we must avoid attributing intentions to him,” Muyaya told reporters.