South African President Thabo Mbeki has agreed to stand down after ANC leaders said they would force him to resign before the end of his term.

The ruling party confirmed a statement from Mbeki’s office pledging to accept the move, saying he would step aside voluntarily.

He is said to have welcomed the news when he was informed he was being asked to resign.

Mbeki, who has ruled Africa’s biggest economy since taking over from Nelson Mandela in 1999, was due to end his term in April next year.

The announcement was made at a press conference after an executive meeting at the ANC party headquarters.

ANC Secretary-General, Gwede Mantashe said: “After a long and difficult discussion, the ANC has decided to recall the president of the republic
before his term of office expires.”

Mbeki was re-elected for a second term in 2004 but last year he lost an ANC leadership contest to rival Jacob Zuma who is tipped to succeed him after corruption allegations were dropped.

For the sake of the country’s stability, the secretary-general said Mbeki’s cabinet ministers will be asked to remain in position in the transitional period after the president leaves office.

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