South African President Urges Competing Parties to Find Common Ground to Overcome Deadlock

In his address to the nation after the electoral commission announced the election results on Sunday, Ramaphosa said, “The people expect all parties to work together within the framework of the constitution and to address challenges peacefully according to the constitution and the rule of law.”

Ramaphosa urged all parties to recognize the election results that reflect the will of the people.

“We have successfully held another free, fair, and peaceful election,” he said.

South Africans voted to elect their representatives at the national and provincial levels, with the ruling African National Congress (ANC) led by Ramaphosa, which has governed since 1994, failing to secure the majority needed to form a government for the first time.

The ANC, which previously had 230 members of parliament, saw its support drop to 159 seats out of 400 in the National Assembly.

The main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), now holds 87 seats, the newly established party of former President Jacob Zuma, uMkhonto weSizwe, secured 58 seats, and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) led by Julius Malema came in fourth with 39 seats.

Other parties in the National Assembly this time include the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) with 17 seats and the Patriotic Alliance (PA) with nine seats.

The ANC still has the most seats and will need to form a coalition with other parties to establish a government this time.

Security has been increased in several locations across the country identified as hotspots for protests and violence.