18 Jan 2016

The Extra-Ordinary Summit of the Double Troika held in Gaborone yesterday considered the political and security situation in the SADC region, with particular attention to the situation in Lesotho.

President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama chaired the summit as the SADC Organ on Politics Defence and Security Cooperation chairperson. 

The Double Troika, consists of; Botswana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Mozambique, South Africa and Tanzania.

The summit was attended by South Africa president, Mr Jacob Zuma in his capacity as the outgoing SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation chairperson and his deputy president, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, in his capacity as the facilitator on the situation in Lesotho. 

Mozambique president, Mr Filipe Nyusi, Tanzania prime minister, Mr Kassim Majaliwa, Swaziland prime minister, Dr Banabas Dlamini, Lesotho Prime Minister, Dr Pakalitha Mosisili and Zimbabwe’s foreign minister, Mr Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr Pelonomi Venson- Moitoi and SADC executive secretary, Dr Stergomena Tax also attended the summit.

The summit discussed the SADC facilitator to Lesotho’s report, following its concern on the deterioration of political and security situation in Lesotho.

The situation forced the main opposition leaders to flee the county fearing for their security, exacerbated by the death of Brigadier Maaparankoe Mahao- former Lesotho Defense Force commander on June 25, 2015. 

 

The communique of the summit is expected to be released today. Ends