South African President Mbeki Resigns

South African President Thabo Mbeki resigned Sunday after his ruling African National Congress asked him to step down amid accusations that he orchestrated a witch hunt against his former deputy, Jacob Zuma. Mbeki announced his resignation in a dignified television address broadcast live to the nation, enumerating his unprecedented economic successes and denying allegations of having masterminded a corruption case against Zuma, who is currently ANC president. Mbeki fired Zuma from his position as South Africa’s deputy president in 2005, but lost the ANC presidency to him last December. The President then came under open fire when a high court judge recently dismissed the corruption case against Zuma on a technicality and implied that the charges were politically motivated. The South African Parliament is set to select an interim president to serve until elections in April 2009, which Zuma is widely expected to win. [PE]