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SOUTH AFRICA: Ramaphosa & Steenhuisen To Meet For Another Round Of Cabinet Talks

SOUTH AFRICA
  • The Sunday Times reported that the Democratic Alliance (DA) is "playing hardball" in the ongoing cabinet negotiations, requesting the appointment of at least 10 of its MPs in key economic portfolios and the Deputy President position for party leader John Steenhuisen. However, the ANC has reportedly said that the inclusion of more parties in the GNU means that there are fewer cabinet posts available for each individual coalition member. EWN reported that Ramaphosa and Steenhuisen will meet today to iron out differences and are edging towards a deal, whereby "eight might be the magic number" - a compromise between the 10 portfolios demanded by the DA and the 6 offered by the ANC. Note that an IOL report quoted slightly different numbers, noting that the DA wanted 7 portfolios but then reduced its demands to 5.
  • Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi had to postpone the announcement of his new cabinet after provincial coalition talks unexpectedly hit a snag. Lesufi noted that negotiators have asked for more time, which resulted in the delay. Unidentified sources told IOL that President Ramaphosa has told Lesufi to resume talks and include DA members in his provincial cabinet in order to avoid negative consequences for the national GNU.
  • This comes after Al Jama-ah party on Saturday became the 10th member of the government of national unity (GNU) led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, completing the first stage of coalition formation. His African National Congress (ANC) said in a statement that the addition of any further parties will only be possible in consultation with other members of the coalition. The coalition still excludes the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party.

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