The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have rejected an ANC proposal to form a government of national unity that would encompass the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Freedom Front Plus.
Malema's red beret signals he does not want a repeat of the 1994 government of national unity, while his Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has pledged to work more closely with the ANC and other parties to form a government.
“We are now at a fundamental critical juncture. We must act swiftly to safeguard national unity, peace, stability, inclusive economic growth, non-racism and non-sexism. We call on political parties to form a government of national unity. We have had constructive discussions with the EFF, IFP, DA, NFP and PA,” ANC speaker Cyril Ramaphosa said.
Meanwhile, the DA has said it would only agree to join the ANC's proposed government of national unity if the MK Party, EFF and Patriotic Alliance (PA) were excluded.
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The ANC has decided to maintain a centre-right position and not choose a left or right ideological party to form a coalition government. A government of national unity has been proposed, but there is some contention between the DA and MK parties.
The EFF has said it wants nothing to do with a government with the DA and Freedom Front Plus.
“We are against unity national governance. We do not want to be part of a government that represents white colonial interests,” said EFF deputy chairman Floyd Shivambu.
The DA welcomed the ANC NEC's decision to form a government of national unity, but the party has also made it clear that it refuses to work with the EFF.
“We welcome the announcement of a government of national unity and our next round of negotiations with the ANC will be to find out what they think of this unity government. DA FedEx will then negotiate the ANC's proposal,” DA spokesman Solly Malatsi said.
The IFP has expressed interest in further cooperation with the ANC to be part of the new government.
“The IFP has been negotiating with the ANC over the past few days. We have put forward three scenarios during our meeting with the ANC. The IFP is currently negotiating with the ANC over the announced government of national unity. In principle, the IFP is not opposed to the GNU,” said IFP spokesperson Mkuleko Lengwa.
The EFF also called on other parties to allow MK, which has a majority in the KwaZulu-Natal provincial legislature, to be the first choice to form government.
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