South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa was sworn in for a second full term as president despite failing to secure a majority in parliament in last month’s elections for his African National Congress (ANC).
Lawmakers re-elected him as president last week following an agreement between the ANC, its long-time rival the Democratic Alliance (DA) and other parties to form a coalition government.
The ANC, which has ruled since the end of apartheid in 1994, lost its majority for the first time after the May 29 elections produced no outright winner.
Many dignitaries, including several African heads of state, participate in the ceremony.
“I swear that I will be faithful to the Republic of South Africa… I will obey, observe and defend the constitution and all other laws of the republic,” Ramaphosa said.
The oath of office was administered by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo.
After Ramaphosa was sworn in, a band played the national anthem followed by a 21-gun salute and a passing by army helicopters, before he gave his inaugural address.
The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, formed six months ago by former president Jacob Zuma, claims that its leaders will not participate in the “farcical” inauguration.
The party, which won 15% of the vote and 58 parliamentary seats, also boycotted the first session of parliament last Friday.
Ramaphosa retained the presidency despite the ANC’s vote falling by 17 percentage points and it losing 70 seats in parliament.
He did this through a power-sharing agreement with the pro-business prosecutor’s office, a historic rival, and other parties.
The ANC won 40% of the vote, while the DA came second with 22%.
The coalition is a move towards the political center, because the ANC’s left-wing and populist dissident parties rejected the invitation to join a national unity government.
Ramaphosa is expected to name a cabinet in the coming days, which will include his new coalition partners – the DA and three other smaller parties. Together, the coalition represents 68% of seats in parliament.
The president is also expected to establish an agenda to rescue the economy in crisis.
Under his government, economic performance continued to suffer due to power cuts, rising crime and unemployment.
Ramaphosa first became president in 2018 when his predecessor, Zuma, was forced to resign over allegations of corruption – which he denied.
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