Cyril Ramaphosa has been sworn in as president of South Africa for a second term – this time as part of a coalition government.

His African National Congress (ANC) party lost its controlling majority in last month’s election after ruling for 30 years since the end of apartheid.

President Ramaphosa’s motorcade arrived at the ceremony in Pretoria on Wednesday, with a guard of honour on horseback, watched by African heads of state and dignitaries.

Supporters waved flags at the proceedings and a formation of aircraft conducted a flypast overhead as he took the oath of office.

“In our brilliant diversity, we gather to affirm our solemn conviction that this country belongs to all who live in it,” the president told those gathered.

“Understanding that no party can govern alone and make laws alone, these parties have agreed to work in partnership, to employ their talents for the good of the country and the progress of its people.”

Read more from Sky News:
Mysterious monolith discovered in desert near Las Vegas
Deadly wildfire forces thousands to flee homes

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

President Ramaphosa will head what he calls a government of national unity with five other parties, including the ANC’s largest rival and virulent critic, the pro-business Democratic Alliance (DA).

While investors have welcomed the inclusion of the DA, analysts say sharp ideological divisions between the parties could make the government unstable.

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Just before the election, President Ramaphosa signed into law a National Health Insurance bill that the DA says could collapse a creaking health system.

It was unclear what would happen to that law under the new government. The DA advocates scrapping the ANC’s flagship black economic empowerment programme, saying it hasn’t worked – a highly contentious topic in a nation grappling with huge inequalities, some inherited from apartheid.

Related posts:

Italy wins Eurovision Song Contest as UK fails to score a single point UK’s Afghanistan evacuation effort ‘down to hours, not weeks’, defence secretary says ‘We won’t panic until the Russian tanks arrive’: Ukrainians taking invasion threat in their stride At least 20 killed, including seven children, in Uganda bus crash ‘Willing stooges of Saudi sportswashing’: Why golf event is most controversial tournament in sport right now Pele to lie in state at stadium of former club Santos ahead of funeral Newly-released photographs show tense hours in White House during Osama bin Laden raid Ten people killed after ‘overloaded’ bus falls into gorge Little donkey rescued from muddy drain – then fed ginger nuts by firefighters Boris Johnson claims the world would be ‘more stable under Trump’ Major police operation under way after reports of multiple stabbings at shopping centre in Sydney ‘Don’t stay here, it’s dangerous’: Sudden boom heard as elderly Ukrainians flee fiercest fighting they’ve seen