South Africa’s leader cuts short UK visit after protests

20/04/2018

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Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II shows South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa letters between her and former South African President Nelson Mandela on South Africa returning to the Commomwealth which was presented as a gift to him during an audience at Windsor Castle, Berkshire on April 17, 2018, on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (CHOGM). / AFP

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South Africa’s president has cut short a visit to Britain to return home and deal with violent protests in a provincial capital.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has left the Commonwealth summit in London to respond to the turmoil in the North West capital of Mahikeng, where residents have brought life to a standstill with protests over the delivery of basic services.

A statement from Ramaphosa’s office notes clashes with police and calls for calm and engagement “rather than violence and anarchy.” It also urges police to show restraint in the city of about 300,000.

South Africa’s next election is in 2019 and the ruling African National Congress party under Ramaphosa is eager to recover from its worst-ever election showing in 2016, in which the ANC lost control of major municipalities.

This news has been read 5714 times!

20/04/2018