Ruto congratulates South African President Ramaphosa after swearing-in

President William Ruto has congratulated President Cyril Ramaphosa for securing a second term and assuming office as the President of the Republic of South Africa. 

President Ruto said President Ramaphosa's victory is a testament to the trust and confidence placed in his vision and leadership by the people of South Africa. 

“As you embark on this journey, may wisdom guide your decisions, and may your tenure bring prosperity, unity, and progress to your nation and, by extension, our continent,” he said. 

In his congratulatory message, delivered by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during his inauguration in Pretoria, South Africa, President Ruto said that Kenya and South Africa enjoy strong relations founded on shared values. 

He said Kenya is committed to continuing to work closely with South Africa to solidify and broaden the prospects of relations and bonds of friendship between the two nations.

Ramaphosa was sworn in for a second full term on Wednesday as president after his weakened African National Congress (ANC) struck a hard-won government coalition deal to remain in power.

Lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to re-elect the 71-year-old last week after a May 29 general election produced no outright winner for the first time in three decades.

Ramaphosa is expected to announce his cabinet in the coming days, as talks with coalition members continue.

Numerous heads of state, including Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Angola's Joao Lourenco, Congo Brazzaville's Denis Sassou Nguesso and Eswatini's absolute leader King Mswati III attended the inauguration.

Last month's election marked a historic turning point for South Africa, ending three decades of dominance by the African National Congress of the late Nelson Mandela.

The party that led the anti-apartheid struggle won only 40 per cent of the vote and, for the first time, lost its absolute majority in parliament.

It later struck a deal to form what it calls a government of national unity.

ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula said after the elections the broad coalition brought together a majority of the 18 parties that won representation in the 400-seat National Assembly.

These include the centre-right Democratic Alliance (DA), the Zulu nationalist Inkatha Freedom Party and other smaller groups.

Ramaphosa was re-elected by fellow MPs with 283 votes in a secret ballot.

He saw off a last-minute challenge by Julius Malema, the firebrand leader of the radical leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), whose candidacy gained 44 votes.