South African President Mbeki to quit

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (CNN) — South African President Thabo Mbeki agreed Saturday to resign, clearing the way for his longtime political rival, Jacob Zuma, to run for the office next spring.
Mbeki has been South African president since 1999.Mbeki plans to meet with his Cabinet on Sunday to discuss his decision, and some Cabinet members might leave in a show of solidarity.

The president made no public comments, and it was unclear when his resignation would take effect.

Gwede Mantashe, secretary-general of the African National Congress, announced at a news conference earlier in the day in Johannesburg that the party — which Mbeki has been involved with since his teens — had asked him to leave before his term was up.

Mantashe said the ANC made the decision “for the citizens of South Africa, so there could be stability within the country” and so the ANC movement could remain “stable and unified.”

“The reaction of President Mbeki to the news, in my own view, was normal. He didn’t display shock or any depression. He welcomed the decision and agreed that he is going to participate in the process and the formalities,” Mantashe said. Video Watch the significance of Mbeki “falling on the sword” for the ANC »

The party’s request to Mbeki came after a judge on September 12 threw out the corruption, fraud and racketeering case against Zuma, calling it invalid and accusing Mbeki’s government of political interference in the case.

The case against Zuma, who is ANC president, was thrown out in September 2006, but the National Prosecuting Authority recharged him. Judge Chris Nicholson made no ruling on Zuma’s guilt or innocence, and he could be recharged.

Political observers doubted that would happen because of Zuma’s popularity with the Communist Party and trade unions.

Zuma has denied the charges. He said the case was politically motivated, and harmed his chances to become the ANC’s presidential nominee.

Zuma had been facing at least 15 years in jail if convicted of accepting bribes from a company that got a contract in a multibillion-dollar arms deal.

He also faced charges of having a corrupt relationship with his former financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, who is serving a 15-year sentence for soliciting bribes for Zuma and using Zuma’s political influence to benefit his businesses.

Mbeki, 66, succeeded Nelson Mandela as president in June 1999. Critics of Mbeki alleged he pushed for the corruption charges against Zuma.
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On Monday, Zimbabwe’s political rivals put aside the violent past and signed a power-sharing deal intended to end the crisis that has paralyzed the country since the disputed national elections in March.

Mbeki brokered the deal. Under it, longtime Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe remains president, while his perennial rival, Morgan Tsvangirai, has become prime minister and the coordinator of government.

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