19 Jan 2016

The Extra-Ordinary Summit of the Double Troika has urged Lesotho government to implement recommendations of a report of the Commission of Inquiry.

The SADC executive secretary, Dr Stergomena Tax, said this when briefing the media about the just ended Double Troika Summit held in Gaborone on Monday.

The summit considered the political and security situation in the SADC region, with particular attention to the situation in Lesotho.

The meeting, that was chaired by President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama as the SADC Organ on Politics Defence and Security Cooperation chairperson, 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 Double Troika Summit, Dr Tax said, handed over the report of the Commission of Inquiry to the government of Lesotho and tasked government to provide feedback to the chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation and to publish the Report within 14 days.

In addition, she said the summit received a Mission Report from the SADC Treaty and the SADC Protocol on Immunities and Privileges, and urged Lesotho to abide by the immunity provisions. 

Any court decision taken against the Commission of Inquiry, Dr Tax said “is of no legal effect, and will not bind SADC and its institutions.”

The SADC executive secretary also noted with concern that Lesotho had not undertaken the constitutional, public sector and security sector reforms.

For that reason, she said Lesotho was urged to prepare, with the support of the Organ Troika and the secretariat, a road map for the implementation of the reforms as contained in the SADC facilitator’s final report and submit a progress report to the SADC summit in August 2016.

Furthermore, Dr Tax said the government of Lesotho and all political stakeholders were urged to actively contribute to a conducive environment to allow the safe return to Lesotho of the opposition leaders and members of the security forces who are in exile.

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 SADC-appointed facilitator on the situation in Lesotho attended the summit.

Lesotho prime minister, Dr Pakalitha Mosisili, was invited to the summit, which was also attended by; Mozambique president, Mr Filipe Nyusi; Tanzania prime minister, Mr Kassim Majaliwa; Swaziland prime minister, Dr Banabas Dlamini and Zimbabwe’s foreign affairs minister, Mr Simbarashe Mumbengegwi.

The Double Troika Summit commended the Commission of Inquiry to Lesotho for their professionalism and a job well done, the SADC facilitator to Lesotho for his continued efforts and commendable services, as well as the government and the people of Botswana for hosting the Double Troika Summit.

 

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