South African's president Thao Mbeki was 'fired' today. I've written a lot on the powergames within the ANC, but who would have thought the ANC would eventually kick Mbeki out a year before the elections?
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) has condemned the manner in which the ANC recalled President Thabo Mbeki on Saturday, describing it as "an act of political barbarity."
"To remove the head of state like this is an act of political barbarity that threatens to plunge the country into anarchy," Bantu Holomisa said in a statement today. The move threatens to destabilise the country, especially if other cabinet ministers act on threats to resign in solidarity with the president. Several key figures, including the deputy president, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, have indicated they will follow Mbeki. If Finance Minister Trevor Manuel will follow, I will personally get very worried on the economical consequences.
More in this excellent article in the South African Mail & Guardian.
Early september I bought Andrew Feinstein's book "After the party" in Johannesburg. Andrew Feinstein was an ANC Member of Parliament and the former African National Congress leader of Parliament's public accounts watchdog Scopa, resigned when the party moved to curtail investigations into the arms deal. His book After the Party gives a very well documented insider's view of the process. A true must-read; you can find it on Amazon UK.
After reading the book, you'll understand why the 'dismissal' of Mbeki is a very, very worrying event for South African's fragile democracy.
