International   

Jacob Zuma calls for party unity

ATTRIDGEVILLE (South Africa): Facing corruption charges and growing political tension, newly elected African National Congress President Jacob Zuma called for unity in his first keynote speech since taking over the reins of the party from President Thabo Mbeki.

Mr. Zuma addressed a crowd of about 20,000 persons on Saturday at a celebration of the governing party’s 96th anniversary in Atteridgeville, near the capital, Pretoria. Mr. Mbeki, Mr. Zuma’s chief political rival, was not in attendance.

Mr. Zuma, who was elected at the party’s conference in December after a bruising campaign, used the speech to stress the importance of unity in one of Africa’s oldest liberation movements.

“We acknowledge that the past few months and years have placed the unity of the ANC under great strain. We concede that the contestation of leadership positions served at times to fuel a perception of discord within our ranks. We must bring about unity in the movement,” he said to loud cheers.

In the party leadership contest, Mr. Zuma supporters swept all the top positions, while trusted Mr. Mbeki lieutenants, including the Deputy President, Defence Minister and Finance Minister, were ousted.

The campaign and its outcome have generated tension between the government and the ANC. Adding to the strain and raising concern about the stability of the fledgling democracy is an escalating battle between the country’s two top law enforcement bodies.

In the latest episode, the National Prosecuting Authority announced on Friday that it plans to charge national police commissioner and Mr. Mbeki ally Jackie Selebi with corruption. Mr. Mbeki is scheduled to hold a news conference later on Saturday to address the issue.

Mr. Zuma said the party leadership knows it has a responsibility to work with the government. There “should not be any apprehension about relations between the ANC and its government,” he said.

The ANC’s executive confirmed this week that Mr. Zuma will be its candidate for national President. — AP

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Arab world sceptical of Bush’s road map for West Asia
Pakistan expels U.S. researcher
Co-Chairs ask Colombo to finalise devolution plan
Cousin questions Bilawal succession
Trouble in Kenya as police outlaw protests
Jacob Zuma calls for party unity
Kuomintang sweeps Taiwan polls
Jet awaits nod for China-U.S. flights

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu