29 Jun 2016

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is working on resolving the political impasse in Lesotho, SADC executive secretary, Dr Stergomena Tax has said.

Briefing members of the press after the SADC Double Troika meeting of Heads of State and Government in Gaborone on June 28, Dr Tax said the outcome of the day’s deliberations had been positive with Lesotho being urged to work with all stakeholders to ensure stability.

She said a tangible implementation plan of the decisions of the double troika had been set, which would include ensuring that the constitutional and defence reform process was inclusive. She said a roadmap and timeframes had been set with an oversight committee set to ensure their implementation.

Members of Lesotho’s opposition who were exiled had been urged to return to the country by August 2016.

The chairperson of the SADC council of ministers, Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi, told the media that Lesotho had committed itself to cooperating with the SADC plan.

Outside the summit, about 30 members of the Lesotho opposition told the media that their government had not implemented recommendations of the Phumaphi Report, a SADC inquiry presented to the Lesotho government in January.

In an interview, Dr Fako Likoti, the political advisor to the prime minister of Lesotho said his government would adhere to recommendations made by SADC.

“We thank SADC as an organisation and individual member states for their support. The government is committed to implementing a roadmap for lasting peace and tranquility. But people should not exaggerate the situation,” Dr Likoti said.

The Double Troika is made up of SADC chairperson, President Lt Gen Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama, SADC vice chair, King Mswati III of Swaziland, outgoing SADC chair, Zimbabwean President, Mr Robert Mugabe, the chair of the SADC organ on defence and politics, Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi and his predecessor South African president, Mr Jacob Zuma as well as Tanzania prime minister, Mr Kassim Majaliwa.

Also in attendance were, among others, Lesotho Prime Minister, Dr Pakalitha Mosisili, SADC facilitator on Lesotho and South Africa deputy president, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa.

The Lesotho political crisis has been playing itself out for many years with SADC mediation and intervention often required. The current impasse has its roots in the political rivalry between forces loyal to prime minister and his predecessor, Mr Tom Thabane

In a May 2012 parliamentary election, Mr Thabane led a coalition of opposition parties to power, becoming the prime minister. On August 30, 2014, Mr Thabane fled to South Africa alleging that security forces were plotting mutiny against his rule.

Army commander Lt Gen Tlali Kamoli was suspended, replaced by his deputy, Brigadier Maaparankoe Mahao.

The June 2015 murder of Brigadier Mahao plunged the country into crisis with political violence and opposition MPs boycotting parliament, necessitating SADC intervention. Ends