South Africa's ruling party has said it has decided to recall President Thabo Mbeki before the end of his term next year.
They say Mr Mbeki has pledged to accept the move and step aside voluntarily.
'After a long and difficult discussion the ANC decided to recall the President before his term of office expires,' Gwede Mantashe, the ANC's secretary-general, said in a press conference east of Johannesburg.
Mr Mbeki's term was set to end in April 2009.
Mr Mantashe said Mr Mbeki, who has ruled Africa's largest economy since taking over from Nelson Mandela in 1999, had welcomed the news when he was informed.
Last week Mr Mbeki had told the cabinet he would accept whatever decision the ANC made.
The ANC will ask Mr Mbeki's cabinet ministers to remain in their positions in the transition period after he leaves office for the sake of the country's stability, Mr Mantashe added.
