Following its worst electoral performance in three decades, South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) announced Thursday its intention to form a “Government of National Unity” to lead the nation.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, after extensive internal discussions within the party, addressed the ANC’s national executive committee (NEC), emphasizing that South Africa is at a critical juncture requiring exceptional leadership.
The ANC, for the first time since the end of apartheid, lost its parliamentary majority in last week’s elections.
This strategy implies that the ANC will seek a broad multiparty alliance rather than a direct coalition with its main rivals, the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
While Ramaphosa presented this move as being in the national interest, analysts noted it also strategically diminishes the ANC’s reliance on any single political opponent.
South Africa last operated under a Government of National Unity from 1994 to 1997, when Nelson Mandela included former apartheid Prime Minister FW de Klerk and other rivals in his cabinet.
Unity governments are often created during national emergencies, such as wars or economic crises when a unified response is essential.
