South Africa's President Ramaphosa sworn in for 2nd term

By Hassan Isilow

PRETORIA, South Africa (AA) — Those seeking to inflame tensions against South Africa's unity government will not succeed in the "new era" following recent national elections, the country's newly reelected President Cyril Ramaphosa said Wednesday.

"We must reject every attempt to divide or distract us, to sow doubt or cynicism, or to turn us against one another," Ramaphosa said in his inaugural speech as he was sworn in for his second term.

Ramaphosa also said attempts to undermine the country's institutions would fail, vowing that "nothing will distract us from serving the people and advancing their interests."

This came after former President Jacob Zuma's uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party demanded over the weekend that the results of national and provincial elections on May 29 be annulled, claiming the polls were rigged.

Ramaphosa, 71, was officially sworn in as the seventh democratically elected president of South Africa for a second term in office after his reelection by parliament last Friday.

The country's Chief Justice Raymond Zondo administered the oath of office in a ceremony attended by several heads of state and government in the capital Pretoria.

"I, Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, swear that I will be faithful to the Republic of South Africa," he said in his oath.

- Unity government

Ramaphosa made a call for unity during his speech, saying that since no political party won an outright majority in the elections, his African National Congress party decided to form a government of national unity with several others.

The parties "have agreed to work in partnership, to employ their talents for the good of the country and the progress of its people," he said of the unity government, while the cabinet is yet to be announced.

Some opposition parties, including Zuma's MK party and Julius Malema's Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party, have been critical of the ANC’s partners in the government, choosing not to join.

Ramaphosa said a government of national unity would pursue a common program of fundamental and lasting change.

"The formation of a government of national unity is a moment of profound significance. It is the beginning of a new era," he said.

The ANC, once led by civil rights icon Nelson Mandela, has dominated South African politics for the past three decades, until losing its majority in the May 29 elections.

It has 159 lawmakers in the 400-member National Assembly, making it difficult to form a government on its own.

The ANC proposed the formation of a unity government, so far joined by the Democratic Alliance, Patriotic Alliance, Inkatha Freedom Party, and Good party, among others.

Ramaphosa said the parties that have joined adopted a statement of intent, committing to pursue rapid, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, while also addressing issues including unemployment, poverty and crime.