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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa convened with senior African National Congress (ANC) officials on Thursday to strategize on forming a government following the party’s historic loss of its 30-year majority grip. The ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) gathered in Johannesburg to address internal divisions and determine the path forward after the party failed to secure a majority in last week’s elections, despite remaining the largest party.

The ANC, which has led South Africa since Nelson Mandela’s election in 1994, faces a critical juncture as it seeks alliances to govern Africa’s most industrialized nation. Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula indicated a preference for a government of national unity, involving multiple political parties rather than a direct coalition with the main opposition, the Democratic Alliance (DA).

“We want to bring everybody on board,” Mbalula stated, acknowledging expected debates and disagreements within the NEC over the proposal. The NEC, comprising over 80 top ANC officials, is tasked with deciding the party’s course of action.

The ANC’s support has waned over the past two decades amid high poverty, unemployment, and inequality. With only 40% of the vote in the recent election, the ANC lost its parliamentary majority for the first time, necessitating alliances to secure Ramaphosa’s second term. South Africa’s elections allocate parliamentary seats to parties, whose lawmakers then elect the president.

A coalition between the ANC and the centrist DA, which secured the second-largest vote share at 21%, has been considered a potential solution. However, this option faces resistance from grassroots ANC members and some political allies, like South Africa’s congress of trade unions. Additionally, the DA opposes collaborating with the new populist MK Party of former President Jacob Zuma and the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters, which won the third and fourth largest shares of the vote, respectively.

The political leaders are under time pressure to resolve the deadlock, as the newly elected Parliament must convene by June 16 to elect a president. The outcome of the NEC meeting will be crucial in determining the formation of South Africa’s next government and whether Ramaphosa secures his final term in office.

As the situation unfolds, it remains uncertain whether all parties will agree to a government of national unity, and the ANC must navigate these complexities to ensure stable governance.