Latest news with #GovernmentofNationalUnity
IOL News
4 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Political tensions rise as Helen Zille defends DA's stance in GNU
Helen Zille defends DA's withdrawal from the National Dialogue, slamming Ramaphosa's unilateral decisions and accusing the ANC of ignoring coalition protocols set out in the Government of National Unity agreement. Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers Democratic Alliance (DA) Federal Executive Chairperson Helen Zille has defended her party's decision not to leave the Government of National Unity (GNU) despite growing tensions with the African National Congress (ANC), accusing the governing party of treating its coalition partner with 'disrespect' and 'double standards'. In an interview with 702, Zille said the DA's decision to withdraw from the National Dialogue and to vote against budget allocations for departments headed by "compromised ministers" is a "commensurate" and serious response to what she described as unilateral decisions by President Cyril Ramaphosa. 'The President showed hypocrisy, double standards and a lack of respect for his coalition partner by unilaterally firing a deputy minister. And we've got to say we won't be treated like that,' she said. Zille criticised the dismissal of DA's former deputy minister Andrew Whitfield over an unauthorised US trip, defending the visit as a private, party-funded mission to engage US officials on trade relations and AGOA. She argued that Whitfield had written to the President, and despite not needing formal permission under the ministerial handbook for non-official trips, received no reply. 'Surely the president can say, no, you can't go, but he never responded. Till today, he's got no answer to that letter except being fired,' Zille said. She accused the ANC of ignoring the coalition's Statement of Intent, saying the President had violated clauses that require consensus for major government decisions, such as the National Dialogue initiative. 'They simply go and announce what it is with some kind of imminent persons group, to which we've never agreed. So they continue governing as if they are the only party in government. ''And everybody else must behave and fall in line. They did not get an overall majority. We are their biggest coalition partner,'' she said. Zille rejected suggestions that the DA is backing down on its red lines, saying the party is prioritising national stability over political theatrics. 'We're not going to lie there like a sacrificial lamb taking a bullet. We're going to fight back,' she said. 'We won't do the ANC any favours to turn around and look at a decimated economy, and give the president the pleasure of saying, this was the DA's fault.' She rejected the idea that the DA is posturing without follow-through, noting that they had indeed drawn a line by withdrawing from the National Dialogue. 'We made threats of withdrawing from the National Dialogue, and we did. We absolutely did. And now you can have a completely useless National Dialogue because, without us, without nearly 25% of the country, many other people are going to boycott it as well. ''They will have a completely useless National Dialogue. It will be a meaningless, hollow gesture,'' said Zille. Zille said the DA would continue to oppose budget votes for ministers like Thembi Simelane, and Nobuhle Nkabane, whom she accused of misconduct and lying to Parliament. ''Nkabane lied to Parliament. That's probably the gravest thing you can do in a democracy,' she said. So that is why we're voting against her . ''And then Simelane, we know exactly what she did. She's now in human settlement. She used to be in justice, can you believe it or not? And she is found linked to the VBS looting. So they've done terrible things. And we are going to vote against them to show our displeasure.'' Despite repeated disagreements with the ANC, Zille said walking away from the GNU would cause national instability, job losses, and economic collapse. ''Let's make no mistake about it. If we walk out of the GNU, the Rand will fall massively in value. There will be more unemployed people. The consequences will be catastrophic for the country.' ''We're going to walk away when the president fires us. We're not going to do him any favours or the ANC any favours to turn around and to look at a decimated economy, and give the president the pleasure of saying, this was the DA's fault.' Zille confirmed the DA has not yet resolved to table a motion of no confidence in Ramaphosa but warned that such decisions would be guided by future developments and the broader consequences for the country. 'We will take that decision on the basis of understanding what the consequences will be for the country.'' Zille said the ANC must learn to work collaboratively in government, adding, 'They did not get an overall majority.' [email protected] Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL Politics
Eyewitness News
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
DA plans to withhold support on some departmental budget votes as national budget deadline looms
CAPE TOWN - As Parliament heads into the final leg of the budget approval cycle, the Democratic Alliance (DA)'s plan to withhold support on some votes could cause another stumbling block in passing the Appropriation Bill, which apportions money to all national departments. It's the latest salvo fired by the party in response to the axing of its Eastern Cape leader, Andrew Whitfield, as the deputy minister of trade, industry and competition. But the fallout has not taken the DA to the brink of quitting the Government of National Unity (GNU). On Saturday, the party announced that it was withdrawing from the National Dialogue over what it said were double standards being applied by President Cyril Ramaphosa. READ: Steenhuisen labels removal of Andrew Whitfield as a 'calculated assault' by Ramaphosa Parliament will this week get stuck into a tight schedule of departmental budget vote debates as it races towards an end-of-July deadline to get the national budget passed. But DA leader John Steenhuisen said while his party would not reject the budget as a whole, ministers accused of corruption can't expect support from his party when it comes to approving money for their departments. "The ball is in the president and the African National Congress (ANC)'s court. If they want to take a strong stance against us, if they want to stop us from taking a strong stance against corruption, well then they must fire us from the Government of National Unity." READ: 'Even if the DA walks away, GNU will not collapse' - ANC's Mbalula Steenhuisen said that civil society should also rail against the National Dialogue until Ramaphosa fired what the party has termed "delinquents" from the executive. "The president has made a big deal this week about his prerogative. If he feels that we've done something wrong, and that standing up against corruption is something that deserves punishment, then he must exercise that prerogative." Steenhuisen said that tabling a motion of no confidence in the president's ability to deal with corruption was not off the table.
Libya Observer
a day ago
- Politics
- Libya Observer
Libya welcomes Rwanda -DRC peace agreement
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of National Unity has welcomed the signing of the peace agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In a statement, the ministry considered this agreement a critical development in the process of ending one of the longest and most complex conflicts on the African continent, spanning more than three decades in the Great Lakes region. The ministry commended the courage of the concerned parties and their commitment to prioritizing the supreme national and regional interest and working to consolidate the foundations of peace and stability after years of suffering and political and security tensions. It reiterated Libya's support for resolving conflicts through peaceful means and responsible dialogue, adhering to the principles of international law and the right of peoples to security, development, and a dignified life. News Tagged: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Libya Observer
a day ago
- Business
- Libya Observer
Economy Ministry warns against speculation on the Dinar, assures gradual stability of exchange market
The Ministry of Economy and Trade in Libya's Government of National Unity issued an official warning on Sunday, cautioning against engaging in speculative activities targeting the Libyan dinar exchange rate. The ministry stressed that such practices would only lead to losses, citing similar outcomes observed over the past five years. In its statement, the ministry stressed that Libya's financial position remains robust, rendering speculative attempts ineffective. It added that the Central Bank of Libya (CBL), in coordination with relevant economic authorities, is moving ahead with a comprehensive monetary restructuring plan, expected to be officially launched at the beginning of the fourth quarter of this year. The ministry noted that recent fluctuations in parallel market exchange rates do not reflect actual foreign currency demand. Instead, they stem from manipulation involving old banknotes being withdrawn from circulation, leading to the emergence of a secondary market that distorts the real exchange rate. The statement also referenced an official letter from the Central Bank Governor to the Minister of Interior, dated 23 June 2025, which granted formal authorization to more than 132 currency exchange offices and companies. These entities are expected to begin operations soon as part of a broader effort to organize the exchange market and gradually dismantle the parallel market. The ministry vowed to draft an upcoming list of newly approved companies. Additionally, the ministry revealed that monetary authorities are preparing to launch a new financial product aimed at directly reducing prices in the informal market and encouraging transactions through legal channels only. The Ministry of Economy and Trade urged citizens, importers, and traders to exercise caution, warning against heeding rumors or unofficial advice in the currency market. It emphasized that economic stability is a shared responsibility, beginning with public awareness and ending with the strict enforcement of official policies.
Libya Review
a day ago
- Business
- Libya Review
132 Licensed Exchange Firms to Launch Soon in Libya
Libya's Ministry of Economy and Trade under the Government of National Unity (GNU) has issued a strong warning to citizens and residents against engaging in foreign currency speculation. The ministry cautioned against purchasing foreign currencies for non-productive or illegitimate consumption purposes and urged the public to avoid unofficial recommendations or market rumours. The warning follows a letter from the Governor of the Central Bank of Libya (CBL) to the Acting Minister of Interior, requesting strict measures to counter the widespread sale and purchase of foreign currencies outside official channels. The CBL described such practices as 'organised and openly conducted,' calling them a major economic challenge. The Ministry highlighted that previous rounds of currency speculation had caused direct financial losses, especially in light of improving internal economic indicators and a more disciplined monetary policy. It stated that Libya's financial position remains strong, making speculation increasingly unprofitable. Current fluctuations in the parallel market exchange rate, the ministry noted, do not reflect an actual shortage of foreign currency. Instead, they are attributed to the withdrawal of specific currency denominations, which has temporarily created secondary market pressures. The Central Bank, in coordination with economic institutions, is currently executing a comprehensive plan to restructure money supply. The initiative, expected to conclude by early Q4 of this year, is aimed at supporting the Libyan dinar. Moreover, over 132 currency exchange companies have recently been licensed to operate officially, with more to follow. The ministry said this move will help regulate the foreign exchange market and gradually curb the influence of the black market. The CBL Governor warned that continued activity in the informal market could fund illicit operations, including money laundering and terrorism, and called for strict penalties against violators. Tags: cblCentral BankEconomy Ministrylibya
