Zuma resigns as President of South Africa
Jacob Zuma
Zuma, 75, said in his 30-minute farewell address to the nation that he disagreed with the way the ANC had pushed him towards an early exit
Jacob Zuma resigned as President of South Africa on Wednesday under pressure from his own party, the ruling African National Congress (ANC), to quit.
The resignation brought an end to his nine years in power which were plagued by charges of graft and economic slowdown.
Zuma, 75, said in his 30-minute farewell address to the nation that he disagreed with the way the ANC had pushed him towards an early exit after the election of Cyril Ramaphosa as party president in December, but would accept its orders.
"I have therefore come to the decision to resign as president of the republic with immediate effect," Zuma said.
"Even though I disagree with the decision of the leadership of my organisation, I have always been a disciplined member of the ANC," he added.
He also said that the ANC should not be divided in his name.
"No life should be lost in my name. And also the ANC should not be divided in my name," Zuma said.
The ANC, which replaced Zuma as party leader in December with Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, ordered him to step down as president on Tuesday.
When he failed to resign on Wednesday, it announced that it would back an opposition motion in parliament to vote him out on Thursday.
The rand currency, which has gained ground whenever Zuma has hit political turbulence, soared more than one percent to a 2-1/2 year high of 11.79 against the dollar during the day, as pressure piled on Zuma to resign.
(With inputs from Reuters)