South Africa's ruling party said on today it had decided to recall President Thabo Mbeki before the end of his term next year and that he had pledged to accept the move and step aside voluntarily.
"After a long and difficult discussion the ANC decided to recall the President before his term of office expires," Gwede Mantashe, the ANC's secretary-general, said in a press conference east of Johannesburg.
Mbeki's term was set to end in April 2009.
Mantashe said Mbeki, who has ruled Africa's largest economy since taking over for Nelson Mandela in 1999, had welcomed the news when he was informed.
Last week Mbeki had told the cabinet he would accept whatever decision the ANC made.
The ANC will ask Mbeki's cabinet ministers to remain in their positions in the transition period after Mbeki leaves office for the sake of the country's stability, Mantashe added.
"After a long and difficult discussion the ANC decided to recall the President before his term of office expires," Gwede Mantashe, the ANC's secretary-general, said in a press conference east of Johannesburg.
Mbeki's term was set to end in April 2009.
Mantashe said Mbeki, who has ruled Africa's largest economy since taking over for Nelson Mandela in 1999, had welcomed the news when he was informed.
Last week Mbeki had told the cabinet he would accept whatever decision the ANC made.
The ANC will ask Mbeki's cabinet ministers to remain in their positions in the transition period after Mbeki leaves office for the sake of the country's stability, Mantashe added.
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