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S Africa's ANC says Mbeki must go South Africa's Mbeki 'to resign'
(10 minutes later)
South Africa's governing African National Congress (ANC) has called on President Thabo Mbeki to resign early. South African President Thabo Mbeki will accept a call to resign by the governing African National Congress (ANC), his spokesman has said.
Mukoni Ratshitanga said Mr Mbeki would leave his post once all constitutional requirements had been met.
It comes days after a High Court judge suggested that Mr Mbeki may have interfered in a corruption case against his rival, ANC leader Jacob Zuma.It comes days after a High Court judge suggested that Mr Mbeki may have interfered in a corruption case against his rival, ANC leader Jacob Zuma.
The ANC's Secretary General Gwede Mantashe told reporters Mr Mbeki had "welcomed the news", but it is not clear if he has agreed to step down.
Mr Zuma is expected to succeed Mr Mbeki in scheduled elections next year.Mr Zuma is expected to succeed Mr Mbeki in scheduled elections next year.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the ANC's National Executive Committee (NEC). [Mr Mbeki] agreed that he is going to participate in the process and the formalities ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe Mbeki: Born into struggle The decision to call for Mr Mbeki's resignation was taken at a meeting of the ANC's National Executive Committee (NEC). [Mr Mbeki] agreed that he is going to participate in the process and the formalities ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe Mbeki: Born into struggle
The committee, which is made up of mainly Mr Zuma's supporters, cannot force Mr Mbeki, who denies the allegations, to go. But the committee, which is made up of mainly Mr Zuma's supporters, cannot force Mr Mbeki, who denies the allegations, to go.
Mr Mantashe said the NEC had "decided to recall the president of the republic before his term of office expires". The ANC's Secretary General Gwede Mantashe said the NEC had "decided to recall the president of the republic before his term of office expires".
He said Mr Mbeki "did not display shock" at the decision.He said Mr Mbeki "did not display shock" at the decision.
He said the process would now move to parliament, where the ANC commands a big majority, and Mr Mbeki had agreed to participate "in the process and the formalities".He said the process would now move to parliament, where the ANC commands a big majority, and Mr Mbeki had agreed to participate "in the process and the formalities".
The decision had been taken for "stability and for a peaceful and prosperous South Africa", Mr Mantashe said.The decision had been taken for "stability and for a peaceful and prosperous South Africa", Mr Mantashe said.
If Mr Mbeki were to resist the move, he could face a vote of confidence in parliament.
The ANC secretary general said this was not punishment for Thabo Mbeki, adding that the president would be given the chance to continue his role as mediator in Zimbabwe.The ANC secretary general said this was not punishment for Thabo Mbeki, adding that the president would be given the chance to continue his role as mediator in Zimbabwe.
At the same time, ANC cabinet members are being urged to remain in government to ensure continued stability.At the same time, ANC cabinet members are being urged to remain in government to ensure continued stability.
Political interferencePolitical interference
The BBC's Peter Biles in Johannesburg says this dramatic decision will fundamentally change South Africa's political landscape.The BBC's Peter Biles in Johannesburg says this dramatic decision will fundamentally change South Africa's political landscape.
Mr Zuma toppled his rival as ANC leader in bitterly contested elections last year, while Mr Mbeki fired him as deputy president in 2005 after his financial adviser was found guilty of soliciting a bribe on his behalf.Mr Zuma toppled his rival as ANC leader in bitterly contested elections last year, while Mr Mbeki fired him as deputy president in 2005 after his financial adviser was found guilty of soliciting a bribe on his behalf.
Earlier this month a High Court judge dismissed corruption and other charges against Mr Zuma, saying there was evidence of political interference in the investigation.Earlier this month a High Court judge dismissed corruption and other charges against Mr Zuma, saying there was evidence of political interference in the investigation.
In his ruling the judge said it appeared that Mr Mbeki had colluded with prosecutors against Jacob Zuma as part of the "titanic power struggle" within the ANC.In his ruling the judge said it appeared that Mr Mbeki had colluded with prosecutors against Jacob Zuma as part of the "titanic power struggle" within the ANC.
The accusation was strongly denied by Mr Mbeki.The accusation was strongly denied by Mr Mbeki.
Weakened positionWeakened position
Mr Mbeki, who had devoted his life to the ANC, succeeded Nelson Mandela as the party's president in 1997.Mr Mbeki, who had devoted his life to the ANC, succeeded Nelson Mandela as the party's president in 1997.
He became leader of South Africa in 1999 and won a second term in 2004.He became leader of South Africa in 1999 and won a second term in 2004.
Perhaps his biggest policy success has been South Africa's rapid economic growth since the end of apartheid and the rise of a black middle class - but to the anger of many, wealth is more unevenly distributed than ever before.Perhaps his biggest policy success has been South Africa's rapid economic growth since the end of apartheid and the rise of a black middle class - but to the anger of many, wealth is more unevenly distributed than ever before.
He has failed to convince the trade unions and the poorest South Africans that the government has acted in their interest - providing space for Mr Zuma to mobilise a powerful constituency.He has failed to convince the trade unions and the poorest South Africans that the government has acted in their interest - providing space for Mr Zuma to mobilise a powerful constituency.
Domestically, his government's handling of the HIV/Aids crisis and failure to stem violent crime in the country has weakened his hand.Domestically, his government's handling of the HIV/Aids crisis and failure to stem violent crime in the country has weakened his hand.