The African Christian Democratic Party wishes to place on record that we stand opposed to joining or establishing coalitions prior to an election. Obviously, no one can say with absolute certainty what the outcome of the 2024 National/Provincial election would be.
When the Moon-Shot Pact was announced, the ACDP expressed its concerns, one of which was the lack of consultation with other opposition parties. Nonetheless, we attended the Pact meetings as observers, making it clear from the outset that, in our opinion, any coalition agreements prior to an election, would not only be premature, but also presumptuous.
The convenors of the Multi-Party Charter had taken a decision that no observers would be invited to their inaugural meeting, hence the ACDP did not attend. Post the establishment of the Multi-Party Charter, the ACDP was approached to join the Charter. Our leadership sought clarity as to whether the Charter represented a coalition and what was the status of the Moon-Shot Pact. It was confirmed that the Pact was obsolete and that the Charter was not a coalition, rather a gathering of parties who are concerned about the wrong trajectory SA is taking under the current governing party. Furthermore, it was confirmed that what the Charter sought to do was to draft rules, systems, and mechanisms for the efficient running of a coalition post 2024.
The leadership of the ACDP, the NEC, discussed this matter at length and in the end decided that the ACDP should join the Multi-Party Charter. Our President, Rev. Dr. Kenneth Meshoe, will be joining leaders from other political parties on a study trip to Germany to gain information on the establishment of successful coalitions.
-ENDS-
