South African President Jacob Zuma Resigns

South African President Jacob Zuma and his wife Thobeka Madiba-Zuma

South African President Jacob Zuma resigned on Wednesday. The decision came after getting under intense pressure from his own party, the African National Congress (ANC).

Reporting from the BBC on Thursday, February 15, 2018, in his farewell speech broadcast on local television station he admitted to still disagree with the policy of his party ANC, although he finally decided to resign from the presidency.


Earlier, the ANC urged him to step down or face a no-confidence vote from parliament. The South African leader has been known since 2009 to get his party's push to give way to the new ANC leader who currently serves as Vice President, Cyril Ramaphosa, to lead the country.

Zuma is also known to face various allegations of corruption. In fact, before his decision was announced, the local Police raided the home of the wealthy Gupta family allegedly linked to Zuma's corruption.

Reported by Reuters, ANC Secretary General, Jessie Duarte said, Zuma's decision is the right step to be done amid economic turmoil that occurred in the country due to corruption that has been suspected.

"This decision provides certainty to the people of South Africa amid the economic and social challenges that require an urgent and firm response," he said.