Politics

South Africa Election: DA Signs Government Of National Unity Agreement With ANC, IFP

Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen has announced the signing of an agreement for a Government of National Unity (GNU) with the African National Congress (ANC) and Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP).

The announcement was made on the sidelines of the first sitting of the National Assembly, marking a significant day for South Africa.

Steenhuisen highlighted that the GNU’s presidential candidate will be from the largest party within the coalition, which is the ANC.

In a post on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, Steenhuisen said, “After two weeks of negotiations that only concluded after the sitting started, the DA reached an agreement on a statement of intent for GNU, following signing by leaders of the DA, IFP, and ANC. The DA will enter national and provincial government in the provinces of Gauteng (GP) and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).”

Steenhuisen acknowledged the rapid negotiation process, noting, “Even in countries with a long tradition of multi-party government, it usually takes much longer to negotiate a comprehensive agreement. We have thus decided to tackle the negotiations in phases. Phase one is now complete and has culminated in the adoption of the statement of intent, which enables the GNU to elect presiding officers in Parliament, as well as a President.”

He then said that the GNU’s presidential candidate, President Cyril Ramaphosa, will be elected today, and he will, following his election, appoint his new Cabinet from among the members of the GNU, in consultation with the leaders of its constituent parties.

Steenhuisen described the agreement as realistic about the need for mechanisms to handle disagreements within a multiparty government, adopting the threshold of “sufficient consensus” from the CODESA negotiations.

Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi

Follow us on:

AriseNews

Recent Posts

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour: Commercialisation Of GMO Seeds Can Take Away Nigeria’s Food Sovereignty, Cause Health Issues

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour has condemned the commercialisation of GMO seeds, warning of threats to Nigeria’s food…

4 hours ago

Usyk Defeats Fury on Points in Riyadh to Retain Heavyweight Championship Title

Oleksandr Usyk has secured victory over Tyson Fury in Riyadh, successfully defending his heavyweight championship…

9 hours ago

Albania to Ban TikTok for a Year After Schoolboy’s Death Sparks Concerns

Albania plans a one-year TikTok ban from January after a schoolboy’s death sparks concerns over…

11 hours ago

Suspect Remanded in Custody Over Deadly Attack at German Christmas Market

A suspect accused of killing five people by driving into a crowded Christmas market in…

12 hours ago

US Fighter Jet ShotDown in Red Sea ‘Friendly Fire’ Incident Amid Heightened Tensions

A US Navy F/A-18 Hornet was mistakenly shot down over the Red Sea by the…

12 hours ago

NNPC, Dangote Refinery Slash Petrol Prices to N899 Per Litre Amid Rising Competition

NNPC has reduced petrol ex-depot price to N899 per litre, sparking competition with Dangote Refinery…

13 hours ago