Barely 24 hours after he promised to quit office within three to six months South Africa’s embattled President Jacob Zuma has resigned with immediate effect.
Zuma made the announcement in a televised address to the nation on Wednesday evening.
The 75-year-old has been under increasing pressure to give way to Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, who took over from Zuma as the ANC’s new leader.
Mr. Zuma, who has been in power since 2009, faces numerous allegations of corruption as his resignation came at the end of a long speech in which he explains his disagreement with the way the ANC had acted towards him.
The governing ANC party had earlier told Zuma’s to step down or face a vote of no confidence in parliament on Thursday.
According to him, he is not afraid of a motion of no-confidence, adding: “I have served the people of South Africa to the best of my ability.” He said violence and division within the ANC had influenced his decision to step down.
He further expressed his disagreement with the decision of the leadership of the organization and maintained that he had been a disciplined member of the ANC. Stating that his resignation is to ensure ANC is not divided in his name.