A unity government has been established in South Africa as the ruling African National Congress (ANC) and its biggest opposition, the Democratic Alliance (DA), have signed a deal, an official has revealed.
The SABC reported that the ANC, which lost its parliamentary majority in a recent election, agreed to enter into a government of national unity with parties including the DA, the Inkatha Freedom Party and the Patriotic Alliance.
The ANC won only 40% of the total vote, compelling Nelson Mandela’s legacy liberation movement to broker a power-sharing agreement with opposition parties for the first time in 30 years.
Senior DA negotiator Helen Zille confirmed her party and the ANC had agreed a deal for a unity government.
After leading talks of an alliance with opposition parties, President Ramaphosa was set to be elected for a second, five-year term as leader of Africa’s biggest economy.
The ANC losing supporters at the last election meant the party needed MPs from parties that were once its main political rivals to support Ramaphosa and continue the ANC’s three-decade grip on the presidency.