2008 Year in Review

News of the World

2008 news of the world from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe


Thabo Mbeki

Thabo Mbeki

Related Links

Conditions Deteriorate in Afghanistan | India Rocked By a Wave of Terrorist Attacks | Iraq on the Path Toward Effective Leadership | Hopes Are Dashed for Peace Between Israelis and Palestinians Under the Bush Administration | Kosovo Declares Independence | North Korea Continues Roller Coaster Diplomacy | Changing of the Guard in Pakistan | Putin Retains Power | Russian-Georgian Conflict | Elections Fail to Bring Change or Hope to Zimbabwe

Turmoil Within South Africa's Ruling Party

Thabo Mbeki's resignation as president of South Africa in September was the culmination of several years of bitter infighting with Jacob Zuma, who was elected head of the African National Congress (ANC) in 2007, ousting Mbeki who held the position for ten years. Mbeki was succeeded by Kgalema Motlanthe, a labor leader who was imprisoned during apartheid, as president. Zuma is expected to become president in early 2009, after parliamentary elections.

In November, about 6,400 dissident members of the ANC held a convention in Johannesburg and decided to form a new party that will challenge the leadership of the ANC. The delegates, many of whom supported former president Mbeki, expressed dissatisfaction with the current leadership of the party.

For more information about South Africa:

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