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South Africa Seeks Trade Opportunities at BRICS Summit

India at the BRICS summit-Exercise of Strategic Autonomy in difficult circumstances.(photo:IN)

He added that the BRICS Trade Ministers Meeting will be preceded by a roundtable discussion under the theme “The Place of BRICS in the New Architecture of the International Economic System”…reports Asian Lite News

South Africa will attend the 14th BRICS Trade Ministers Meeting later this week in Moscow, Russia, to seek trade and investment opportunities, a government official said.

“South Africa will continue to identify opportunities for cooperation with BRICS partners, both bilaterally and through the BRICS platform, that would present opportunities for the continent to transition away from its historic role as a commodity exporter toward higher productivity value addition,” said Zuko Godlimpi, South African deputy minister of trade, industry and competition, before departing for the meeting, on Monday.

He added that the BRICS Trade Ministers Meeting will be preceded by a roundtable discussion under the theme “The Place of BRICS in the New Architecture of the International Economic System” as reported by Xinhua news agency.

The meeting will allow South Africa to build mutually beneficial trade and investment relations that promote value-added trade and economic transformation, said Goldimpi, noting that his country wants to facilitate foreign direct investment into the productive sectors with BRICS partners and coordinate positions on global governance.

The BRICS is the acronym for an emerging-market cooperative mechanism that initially included Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

In January, the bloc expanded its membership to include Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, and Ethiopia.

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UAE among 15 nations address Sudan’s famine risk

The statement called on the warring parties in Sudan to halt hostilities immediately, respect international humanitarian law, and comply with Security Council resolutions…reports Asian Lite News

Fifteen countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Morocco, Mauritania, Chad, The Comoros, Guinea Bissau, Seychelles, Senegal, Benin, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Mozambique, and Nigeria, have jointly issued a statement expressing deep concern over the alarming food security situation and the risk of famine in Sudan.

The statement highlights a recent report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) published on June 27, 2024. According to the report, Sudan is experiencing its worst levels of acute food insecurity ever recorded, with 25.6 million people affected and 14 areas at risk of famine.

The leaders expressed alarm at the “stark and rapid deterioration” in food security, particularly its severe impact on civilians, including thousands of children suffering from acute malnutrition. The statement also noted concerns about the prolongation of conflict exacerbating the crisis and affecting neighboring countries.

Emphasizing the need for a coordinated international response, the leaders pointed out the significant humanitarian challenges posed by deepening food insecurity, including displacement and migration issues. They reiterated the importance of facilitating humanitarian relief, in line with a UN Security Council resolution adopted on June 13, 2024.

The statement called on the warring parties in Sudan to halt hostilities immediately, respect international humanitarian law, and comply with Security Council resolutions. It also urged foreign actors to cease providing armed support or materials to the warring factions and to avoid actions that could escalate the conflict.

The leaders appealed to the international community to deliver a coordinated response to address the urgent needs in Sudan, scale up humanitarian aid, and support IPC recommendations to increase nutrition interventions, restore productive systems, and improve data collection.

The joint statement underscores the urgent need to address the crisis, prevent further deterioration, and work towards a sustainable resolution to the conflict in Sudan, ultimately aiming for true democracy and sustainable development for all its citizens.

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Africa News Tech Lite

Cyberattackers steal $16.6 mn from govt in South Africa

These episodes pose varying degrees of credit risks depending on the sector, size of the company and its relationship with the customers…reports Asian Lite News

Cyberattackers allegedly stole 300 million South African rand (about 16.6 million US dollars) from the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure over the past 10 years, Minister Dean Macpherson said Wednesday.

The amount could be more as investigations continue, Macpherson said in a statement.

According to him, in May this year, cyber criminals have stolen 24 million rand from the department.

The minister said he has asked the South African Police Service, State Security Agency as well as experts in the information and communications technology and cybersecurity industry to investigate the matter.

“It has become clear that the department has been a soft target and playground for cyber criminals for over a 10-year period and this should have been picked up a lot earlier,” Macpherson said, adding that those responsible for protecting the department from cyber criminals must be held accountable.

Four officials from the department, including three senior management officials and one middle management official, have been suspended, and 30 laptops have been seized by the investigators. “The cyber theft forced the department to shut down its payment system, thereby delaying paying its creditors,” said Macpherson.

The investigation will be expanded and deepened to find the masterminds and the beneficiaries of this grand theft, Macpherson said.

Meanwhile, the reputational risk from cyberattacks is rising for many companies globally, as episodes have become more publicised, Moody’s Investors Service said on Friday.

These episodes pose varying degrees of credit risks depending on the sector, size of the company and its relationship with the customers.

“Companies whose customers can easily switch to a competitor or whose business activities rely more heavily on trust are more exposed to reputational risk stemming from cyberattacks,” Moody’s said in a report.

“These risks are growing because of increased disclosure of attacks, both from cybercriminals, who are increasingly identifying the organisations they attack, and from more stringent disclosure requirements put in place around cyber events. Cyber resiliency planning and crisis management actions are essential components to mitigate the risks,” it said.

According to the report, increased disclosure is contributing to rising reputational concerns.

“In the past, many companies avoided disclosing cyber incidents, fearing such disclosures could invite further attacks or damage their reputation. However, cybercriminals are now publicly identifying the companies they attack, and new laws and regulations are requiring companies to notify the customers and stakeholders whenever data is compromised,” the report said.

“The increased disclosure is allowing customers to learn more about a company’s cyber track record and to factor cybersecurity into their business decisions,” it added.

As per the report, reputational damage brings higher costs and can weaken revenue.

“Damaged reputations can result in increases in the cost of capital, regulatory costs and additional costs for attracting and hiring talent. Companies with damaged reputations may also lose the support of customers, investors and other counterparties, causing a reduction in revenue,” the report elaborated.

Besides, the report cited that companies with lower customer bargaining power or confidence-sensitive business models have more exposure to cyber-related reputational risks.

“The effects vary, with acute financial consequences for some companies and little or no impact for others. Companies can employ various strategies to reduce customer churn and limit reputational harm, although these strategies can be expensive or frustrate customers,” the report suggested.

“Healthcare and financial institutions are particularly at risk because of the sensitive data customers entrust to them, and the relative ease in switching providers,” it said.

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Africa News

South Sudan peace talks face collapse

Human Rights Watch has also called on Kiir to reject the controversial bill saying that it will further undermine human rights and strengthen national security agencies that have a history of longstanding rights abuses…reports Asian Lite News

South Sudan peace talks that almost reached completion faced a stumbling block with opposition groups demanding a newly passed bill allowing the detention of people without an arrest warrant scratched out in order to sign a proposed agreement.

Kenya has been hosting the high-level meetings since May between government representatives and rebel opposition groups who were not part of a 2018 agreement that ended a five-year civil war, leaving about 400,000 people dead and millions displaced. Despite the agreement, violence often erupted in the country of 9 million.

Pagan Amum Okiech, negotiating on behalf of the South Sudan Opposition Movement Alliance, told The Associated Press on Tuesday night that it would be “meaningless to sign any agreement if the draconian National Security Act is signed into law by the president.”

Last week, parliament voted in favor of the 2015 bill and President Salva Kiir will have to approve it within 30 days for it to become a law. This comes ahead of the country’s first-ever election on Dec. 22.

“This law violates the fundamental rights and freedoms of South Sudanese citizens, it eliminates civic and political space,” Amum said. “There can be no peace or democracy under such a law.”

Attending the peace talks is the executive director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization, a non-profit that engages university students and fresh graduates. Edmund Yakani criticized the security bill and said it “created a negative spirit for the negotiations.”

Human Rights Watch has also called on Kiir to reject the controversial bill saying that it will further undermine human rights and strengthen national security agencies that have a history of longstanding rights abuses.

The talks — dubbed Tumaini, Swahili for hope — have resulted in a draft agreement proposing to extend the country’s transitional period and postpone the coming election to allow finishing up the country’s constitution and electoral laws, as well as set up constituency borders and a unified security force as proposed in the 2018 peace talks.

Some Western envoys also recommend delaying the poll “to guarantee a free and fair election.” Kiir has been adamant about having the election in December and called out the envoys.

Meanwhile, the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has said it has approved a $46.2 million grant for South Sudan to boost agricultural productivity, improve food security and enhance the country’s resilience.

The AfDB, a financial provider to African governments and private companies investing in the regional member countries, said the first phase of the climate resilient agri-food system transformation programme in South Sudan is set to be implemented from September 2024 to December 2030.

Themba Bhebhe, the Bank Group’s Country Manager for South Sudan, said in a statement issued in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, on Friday evening that the program’s activities will help boost productivity and produce an additional 350,000 tonnes of cereals (rice and sorghum) and 2,450 tonnes of fish.

“They will strengthen agricultural value chains and entrepreneurship, creating at least 200 more agri-food businesses that are more profitable for women and young people,” Bhebhe added.

He emphasised that developing digitalisation and professional skills will create 179,200 direct jobs, including 50 per cent for women and 60 per cent for young people.

South Sudan is the third most fragile country in the world and the fifth most vulnerable country to climate change globally, AfDB said.

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Kenyan president dismisses Cabinet

Critics accused the president of choosing political cronies and departing from the previous practice of picking technocrats to be in charge of ministries…reports Asian Lite News

Kenyan President William Ruto dismissed almost all of his Cabinet ministers and promised to form a new government that will be lean and efficient following weeks of protests over high taxes and poor governance.

In a televised address, the president also dismissed the attorney general and said ministries will be run by their permanent secretaries.

Ruto said he made the decision after listening to the people and that he would form a broad-based government after consultations.

Kenya has seen three weeks of unrest in which protesters stormed into parliament on June 25 after a finance bill was passed that proposed tax increases. More than 30 people died in the protests, which have morphed into calls for the president to resign.

Ruto said the prime Cabinet secretary, Musalia Mudavadi, a key political ally, would remain in office.

He said the dismissals followed “a holistic appraisal of the performance” of the Cabinet and that the new government would help him “in accelerating and expediting the necessary, urgent and irreversible implementation of radical programs to deal with the burden of debt, raising domestic resources, expanding job opportunities, eliminating wastage and unnecessary duplication of a multiplicity of government agencies and slay the dragon of corruption.”

Ruto appointed 21 Cabinet ministers following his election in 2022. Critics accused the president of choosing political cronies and departing from the previous practice of picking technocrats to be in charge of ministries.

Three ministers resigned from their elected positions to take up ministerial appointments. Others lost the election and were seen as being awarded by the president with political appointments.

Several ministries including agriculture and health have been engulfed by corruption scandals involving fake fertilizer and misappropriation of funds.

The protesters accused the Cabinet of incompetence, arrogance and displays of opulence as Kenyans battle with high taxes and a cost of living crisis.

Demonstrators called for the president’s resignation even though he said he would not sign the finance bill that proposed higher taxes.

Ruto apologized for the “arrogance and show of opulence” by legislators and ministers and said he took responsibility and would speak to them.

He also announced austerity measures including the dissolution of 47 state corporations with overlapping functions to save money and the withdrawal of funding for the first lady’s office, among others.

Analyst and commentator Herman Manyora called the dismissal of the Cabinet a “bold move” that was necessary to quell the discontent in the country.

This is the first time a sitting president has dismissed Cabinet ministers under the new constitution. The last time a similar move occurred was in 2005 after a failed referendum when then-President Mwai Kibaki dismissed his ministers to assert his political authority.

Kenya police boss quits

Kenya’s police boss resigned Friday, the latest attempt by the country’s president to respond to growing concerns of police brutality in response to protests triggered by a proposed tax hike.

Protesters stormed parliament on June 25 after a bill was passed that proposed tax increases, forcing lawmakers to flee through an underground tunnel. Police responded by opening fire on protesters in the streets. The protests have morphed into calls for President William Ruto to resign.

Ruto has sought to respond to the social outcry with a series of steps. He withdrew the tax hike proposal and on Thursday he followed up by dismissing almost all of his Cabinet ministers. He vowed to form a new government that will be lean and efficient.

In his latest move Friday, Ruto accepted the resignation of inspector general Japhet Koome. The presidential office said the deputy, Douglas Kanja, would step in as acting inspector general.

The social unrest has played out in a country generally viewed as a regional leader in Africa due to its size and political stability, and which is a key ally of Western countries in the counterterrorism fight and other issues. Underlining its international role, 400 Kenyan police landed in violence-hit Haiti in recent weeks to lead a UN-backed multinational force. Underlying Kenya’s stature, President Joe Biden honored Ruto with a state dinner at the White House in May.

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After US exit, Germany to end ops in Niger

Niger was a hub for the US military’s counter-terrorism operations in the Sahel region…reports Asian Lite News

US troops have finalised their withdrawal from Niamey, Niger’s capital, and are set to depart from Agadez in the north by September 15, as per the country’s military rulers. Niger’s military, which took power in a July 2023 coup, terminated its military cooperation with the US in March. The US had approximately 650 soldiers in Niger engaged in anti-jihadist operations across several Sahel nations, including a significant drone base near Agadez.

In a joint statement, Niger’s defence ministry and the US Defence Department confirmed the completion of the withdrawal from Niamey’s base 101. The last US troop flight departed Niamey late Sunday. Of the 950 troops previously stationed, 766 have departed Niger since the military directive.

Moving forward, US forces will focus on exiting air base 201 in Agadez, with the withdrawal expected to meet the September 15 deadline. Concurrently, Niger has ordered the withdrawal of French troops and bolstered ties with Russia, which has provided training and equipment.

In related developments, Germany’s defense ministry announced the cessation of operations at its Niger air base by August 31, following failed negotiations with Niger’s military leaders. Similar military shifts are occurring in Mali and Burkina Faso, where jihadist violence persists under military governance.

Niger was a hub for the US military’s counter-terrorism operations in the Sahel region, but Washington’s withdrawal comes in response to a demand by the military leadership which seized power in July 2023.

The junta cancelled a military cooperation agreement with the US in March, and spokesman Amadou Abdramane justified the termination with reference to “condescending behaviour” and an alleged threat of reprisals by a US delegation.

US media have already reported on the withdrawal plans and on Thursday, the New York Times said the Pentagon will also withdraw dozens of US special forces from neighbouring Chad in the days ahead.

Before the military took power, Niger was seen as a close ally in the fight against terrorism and illegal migration to Europe and a last democratic partner to the EU and US in the region.

The transition triggered a serious diplomatic crisis in the region, and neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso have also pivoted away from the West towards Russia. Moscow sent Niger an air defence system and 100 military trainers at the start of the month.

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Africa News Defence India News

India discusses defence manufacturing with DR Congo

The issue figured prominently at the First Secretary-level meeting between the Defence Ministries of India and the DRC held in New Delhi on July 5, 2024….reports Asian Lite News

In another demonstration of India’s growing engagement with African nations, top defence officials have held discussions with their counterparts from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on the co-production and co-development of weapon systems. This is significant given that the Congolese side is looking at modernising their armed forces.
 
The issue figured prominently at the First Secretary-level meeting between the Defence Ministries of India and the DRC held in New Delhi on July 5, 2024.
 
The meeting was aimed at identifying areas for collaboration to fulfil the potential of defence cooperation between the two countries, the Ministry of Defence said. Detailed discussions were held to promote cooperation in training and the defence industry.

The Indian delegation used the opportunity to highlight the significant progress made by its domestic defence industry. “The DRC side shared the need for modernisation of their Armed Forces. They expressed confidence in the capability of the India defence industry and suggested areas of co-production and co-development,” the Ministry of Defence said.
 
The Indian delegation was led by Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and included senior officers of the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of External Affairs and the Armed Forces. The Congolese delegation was led by the Permanent Secretary of Defence, Ministry of Defence, DRC Major General Lukuikila Metikwiza Marcel and included senior officers from the Ministry and a representative of the Embassy of DRC in India.

While in New Delhi, the Congolese delegation also called on Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi. The visit is expected to open up new avenues for defence cooperation between the two countries, the Ministry of Defence said.
 
The meeting came less than three months after the First Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between India and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) held in New Delhi on April 10, 2024.
 
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), both sides carried out a comprehensive review of the existing bilateral relations including strengthening of cooperation in trade and economic relations, mining, agriculture, development partnership, defence, science & technology, digital public infrastructure, green energy, culture, and people-to-people ties.

They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, including cooperation in the UN and other multilateral fora, the MEA added.
 
India enjoys cordial and friendly relations with the DRC. India was among the first countries to establish a diplomatic mission in Kinshasa in 1962. The bilateral trade between India and DRC is growing at a healthy rate and has increased from US$ 321 million in 2018-19 to US$ 845 million in 2022-23.  (India News Network)

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Sahel region junta chiefs mark divorce from West African bloc

Their ECOWAS exit was fueled in part by their accusation that Paris was manipulating the bloc, and not providing enough support for anti-jihadist efforts…reports Asian Lite News

The military regimes of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso marked their divorce from the rest of West Africa Saturday, with Niger’s ruling general saying the junta-led countries have “turned their backs on” the regional bloc.

The three country’s leaders are taking part in the first summit of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), set up after pulling out of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) earlier this year.

“Our people have irrevocably turned their backs on ECOWAS,” Niger’s ruling General Abdourahamane Tiani told his fellow Sahel strongmen at the gathering’s opening in the Nigerien capital Niamey.

Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger set up the mutual defense pact in September, leaving the wider Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) bloc in January.

Their ECOWAS exit was fueled in part by their accusation that Paris was manipulating the bloc, and not providing enough support for anti-jihadist efforts.

“The AES is the only effective sub-regional grouping in the fight against terrorism,” Tiani declared on Saturday, calling ECOWAS “conspicuous by its lack of involvement in this fight.”

The exit came as the trio shifted away from former colonial ruler France, with Tiani calling for the new bloc to become a “community far removed from the stranglehold of foreign powers.”

All three have expelled anti-jihadist French troops and turned instead toward what they call their “sincere partners” — Russia, Turkiye and Iran.

Given the deadly jihadist violence the three countries face, “the fight against terrorism” and the “consolidation of cooperation” will be on Saturday’s agenda, according to the Burkinabe presidency.

ECOWAS is due to hold a summit of its heads of state in the Nigerian capital Abuja on Sunday, where the issue of relations with the AES will be on the agenda.

After several bilateral meetings, the three Sahelian strongmen are gathering for the first time since coming to power through coups between 2020 and 2023.

In mid-May, the foreign ministers of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger agreed in Niamey on a draft text creating the confederation, which the heads of states are expected to adopt at Saturday’s summit.

Niger’s General Abdourahamane Tiani first welcomed his Burkinabe counterpart Ibrahim Traore in the capital on Friday, followed by Malian Col. Assimi Goita who arrived Saturday.

“Don’t expect many announcements, this is primarily a political event,” said Gilles Yabi, founder of the West African think tank Wathi.

“The aim is to show that this is a serious project with three committed heads of state showing their solidarity.”

In early March, AES announced joint anti-jihadist efforts, though they did not specify details.

Insurgents have carried out attacks for years in the vast “three borders” region between Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, despite the massive deployment of anti-jihadist forces.

The trio have made sovereignty a guiding principle of their governance and aim to create a common currency.

Sunday’s summit comes as several West African presidents have called in recent weeks for a solution to resume dialogue between the two camps.

Notably, Senegal’s new President Bassirou Diomaye Faye said in late May that reconciliation between ECOWAS and the three Sahel countries was possible.

In June, his newly re-elected Mauritanian counterpart, President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, called on West African countries to unite again against the expansion of jihadism.

But successive summits on the same weekend raises fears of a stiffening of positions between AES and ECOWAS.

“I do not see the AES countries seeking to return to ECOWAS. I think it’s ECOWAS will have to tone it down (the situation),” Nigerien lawyer Djibril Abarchi said.

While AES is currently an economic and defense cooperation body, its three member countries have repeatedly expressed their desire to go further.

At the end of June, Col. Goita assured that cooperation within the AES had taken “a path of no return” during a visit to Ouagadougou, Burkina’s capital.

The potential creation of a new common currency would also mean leaving behind the CFA franc they currently share with neighboring countries.

“Leaving a currency zone is not easy,” warned Yabi. “Any country can change its currency, but it takes a lot of time and requires a clear political choice as well as a technical and financial preparation process.”

Issoufou Kado, a Nigerien financial expert and political analyst, agreed: “They have to be very careful, because the mechanism takes time.”

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Kenya’s president vows to act against police brutality

William Ruto (Front) speaks after receiving a certificate to confirm his victory in the presidential election at a tallying center in Nairobi, Kenya, on Aug. 15, 2022. (Photo by Joy Nabukewa/Xinhua/IANS)

Ruto said he regretted the abduction and that he would take action, adding that “that is not right.” “You don’t deserve the kind of treatment you went through,” he said…reports Asian Lite News

Kenya’s President William Ruto on Friday apologized for the “arrogance and show of opulence” by legislators and ministers from the ruling party and promised action against “rogue” police officers who shot at unarmed civilians during deadly protests and the storming of parliament over plans to hike taxes.

Ruto, referring to what he called arrogant statements made by officials, said public speaking was “difficult” and some people make “mistakes” for which he takes responsibility and promised change in the conduct of officials.

Kenya experienced two weeks of unrest during which Parliament was stormed by protesters during a finance bill vote. The president was hosted Friday on the social media platform X by popular social media influencer Osama Otero, who said he was abducted on the night of the protests and beaten by police.

Ruto said he regretted the abduction and that he would take action, adding that “that is not right.” “You don’t deserve the kind of treatment you went through,” he said.

The president said the police are independent and not controlled by the executive branch of government but promised to ensure that those responsible would be prosecuted. “I am ultimately responsible because I am president, and that is why I said it was regrettable,” Ruto said.

During the storming of Parliament during a finance bill vote — which would have resulted in a tax increase if approved — legislators fled through an underground tunnel. Police responded by opening fire and several protesters were shot dead.

Ruto later said he would not sign the finance bill and communicated to Parliament that the proposed legislation should be withdrawn, but protests continued with calls for him to resign over poor governance.

Kenya has been plagued by corruption, with the latest case involving the sale and distribution of thousands of fake fertilizer bags worth millions of shillings by the agriculture ministry.

The president on Friday was accused of not showing empathy and not mentioning the names of those who died during the protests. He responded by saying “people are born differently.” But he added that he was scheduled to speak with the mother of a boy who was shot and killed during protests.

Ruto was accused of not acknowledging the correct number of those who died in the protests. He put the number at 25 while the Kenya National Commission for Human Rights said 39 people were killed.

An hour before the online engagement, Ruto in a televised address announced specific austerity measures that included the dissolution of “47 state corporations with overlapping and duplicative functions” to save on operation and maintenance costs.

He also “suspended” the appointment of 50 chief administrative secretaries that were challenged in court on the basis of the positions being unconstitutional.

The president also announced that the offices of the first lady and the spouses of the deputy president and prime Cabinet secretary would not be funded using public money.

The young people who spoke during Otero’s Friday engagement on X emphasized the need for the president to sack incompetent government ministers in a reorganization that he stated was “coming soon.”

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Ramaphosa unveils new coalition cabinet

Following intense negotiations, South African President has appointed opposition politicians to key ministerial positions in new cabinet…reports Asian Lite News

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced his new government on Sunday with the former opposition parties getting 12 out of 32 portfolios after the ruling ANC lost its outright parliamentary majority.

The African National Congress (ANC), which has governed the country since the advent of democracy in 1994, kept 20 out of 32 cabinet positions. They included key ministries such as foreign affairs, finance, defence, justice and police.

A statement from the party welcomed the president’s announcement as “an important step forward, and a testament to the resilience of our democracy”.

The largest coalition partner, the Democratic Alliance (DA), will hold six portfolios including home affairs, environment and public works. DA leader John Steenhuisen, 48, was appointed Minister of Agriculture.

A statement from the party hailed a “new era in South Africa’s democratic journey” where they would have “zero tolerance for corruption”.

The Zulu nationalist Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), anti-immigration party Patriotic Alliance and right-wing Afrikaans party Freedom-Front Plus and other smaller parties got six cabinet places between them.

They included responsibility for land reform, correctional services, sports, tourism and public service.

“The establishment of the Government of National Unity in its current form is unprecedented in the history of our democracy,” said 71-year-old Ramaphosa, speaking from Pretoria in a televised speech.

He was re-elected for a second full term last week, to lead what his humbled ANC calls a government of national unity (GNU), having lost its outright majority in the May 29 general election.

“The incoming government will prioritise rapid, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and a creation of a more just society by tackling poverty and inequality as well as unemployment,” he said.

He had to “ensure all the parties are able to participate meaningfully in the national executive as well as various parliamentary positions”, he added.

The only other time South Africa has opted for a national unity government was at the end of apartheid. That was when Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk, the former leader of the government, oversaw the transition to democracy as executive deputy presidents.

The ANC’s fall from grace came against a backdrop of high violent crime rates, a lacklustre economy and a crippling energy crisis.

Ramaphosa’s highly anticipated announcement came after weeks of tough negotiations between the ANC and the DA, which won 87 parliamentary seats (22 percent of the popular vote) to the ANC’s 159 (40 percent).

The building of the new government was criticised by leftist parties, including the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, a new grouping formed a few months ahead of the poll by the country’s former president Jacob Zuma, 82.

The MK party came out of nowhere to win more than 14 percent of votes nationwide in the poll and now may well be the country’s official opposition after refusing to join the ANC’s broad coalition.

Along with the leftist firebrand party the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), it shunned the ANC’s broad coalition with the DA as a “white-led unholy alliance”.

The ANC had previously accused the DA of making “outrageous demands” for key cabinet positions in documents leaked to the press following weeks of closed-doors negotiations.

The EFF said in a Sunday statement that the announcement had confirmed “our longstanding view” that the GNU was “nothing but a smokescreen for the ANC to secure a predetermined grand coalition with the racist DA”.

It also criticised the impact of the “increased and bloated” cabinet of taxpayer’s money.

Ramaphosa has called for the opening of the new parliament on July 18 to address MPs and outline guidelines of how his new coalition government, involving 11 parties, will work.

The President said that the new government will prioritise those issues. “We have shown that there are no problems that are too difficult or too intractable that they cannot be solved through dialogue,” he said.

Steenhuisen, in a statement following the announcement, said: “We look forward to being part of a new era in South Africa’s democratic journey, and to bringing real and tangible change to the millions of citizens who voted for it.”

It took over a month of complex political manoeuvring, and concessions from the ANC, to stitch together the government. It maintained its hold on the ministry of trade and industry, a key portfolio that the DA also sought. ANC’s Paul Mashatile will also continue as Deputy President. DA leader John Steenhuisen was appointed minister of agriculture.

The coalition’s performance depends on how they keep their ideological differences aside. The DA, ANC’s enemy party, wants to scrap some of the ANC’s black empowerment programmes and it also opposes the ANC’s desire to expropriate land.

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