Leader of South Africa's second largest party will not seek re-election

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Khanyisile NgcoboJohannesburg

Gallo via Getty Images The leader of the Democratic Alliance, South Africa's second-largest political party, John Steenhuisen looks ahead during a press briefing

South Africa's Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen has said he will not seek re-election as the party's leader in April - a move that may threaten the stability of the coalition government.

The DA, South Africa second largest party, entered into a coalition with its arch rival the African National Congress (ANC) in 2024 after it lost its parliamentary majority, a blow for the party.

Steenhuisen took over leadership of the pro-business DA in 2019 and currently serves as agriculture minister in President Cyril Ramaphosa's government.

The 49-year-old was widely expected to run again but was reportedly forced to abandon his bid because of several controversies.

"For the rest of this term of office, I will focus all of my time and energy as minister of agriculture on defeating the most devastating foot and mouth disease outbreak our country has ever seen," he told a press conference.