South Africa announced its final election results on Sunday, which confirmed no party won a majority, and unprecedented coalition talks were starting to find a way forward for Africa’s most advanced economy.

The African National Congress party had already lost its 30-year majority after more than 99% of votes were counted by Saturday, and showed it could not surpass 50%.

The ANC received about 40% of the votes in last week’s election in the final count, the largest share.

Without a majority it will need to agree a coalition with another party or parties for the first time, to govern South Africa and re-elect President Cyril Ramaphosa for a second term.

STATEMENT BY ANC SECRETARY GENERAL ON OUTCOME OF 2024 ELECTIONS

The African National Congress (ANC) commends the people of South Africans for once again demonstrating the strength and vibrancy of our democracy.#ANCThanksSA pic.twitter.com/oPgOrU5vD4

— African National Congress (@MYANC) June 2, 2024

South Africa’s national elections decide how many seats each party gets in parliament and lawmakers elect the president later.

The ANC was the party of Nelson Mandela and freed South Africa from the apartheid system of white minority rule in 1994.

It had governed with a comfortable majority since then.

The ANC said earlier Sunday that it was starting its negotiations with all major parties in an attempt to form South Africa’s first national coalition government.