JOHANNESBURG - South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) said Wednesday that it has started engagements with major political parties in the country to form a national unity government after losing an outright majority of seats in the National Assembly in the just-concluded general elections.

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"We have been meeting with all parties that are keen to contribute ideas on how we can collectively move our country forward to form a government that ensures national unity and stability," the ANC said in a statement issued following its National Working Committee Meeting.

The newly elected National Assembly will have 14 days to hold its first sitting, where members will elect the president of South Africa for the next five years by a simple majority

The ANC has secured 159 out of 400 seats in the National Assembly, while the Democratic Alliance (DA) came second with 87 seats, followed by the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party with 58 seats and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) with 39 seats.

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"The results of the 2024 national and provincial elections indicate that the South Africans want all parties to work together, because no party received an absolute majority to form a government alone at the national level," the ANC said, adding that it has thus far had meetings with political parties including the DA and the EFF.

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The ANC has repeatedly reached out to the MK Party for an engagement meeting, with no positive response, it said. "Our door remains open as we continue to reach out to every party that is keen to contribute positively to moving our country forward."

Following the official announcement of election results on June 2, the newly elected National Assembly will have 14 days to hold its first sitting, where members will elect the president of South Africa for the next five years by a simple majority.