SADC sends observer team to Lesotho

Jacob Zuma says that the SADC has agreed to send an observer team to Lesotho to work with officials to restore peace and security in that country. Image: GCIS

On Monday (1 September), South African President and SADC Chairman of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation Jacob Zuma met with the delegation of the Coalition Government of Lesotho.

The Coalition comprised Prime Minister Thomas Thabane, the Deputy Prime Minister Mothetjoa Metsing and Morena T J Maseribane, Minister of Gender and Youth, Sports and Recreation.

The meeting, which was held in Pretoria, reiterated the commitment in the Windhoek Declaration in which leaders of the coalition government committed to working together to restore political normality, stability, peace, security and law and order.

"The leaders of the coalition government agreed to expeditiously implement the declaration, by removing the Parliament prorogation, in particular. They agreed on the roadmap with clear timelines on how to remove the Parliament prorogation, which will be submitted to the King," said the SADC Troika and leaders.

The SADC Executive Secretary Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax also attended the meeting.

The meeting between the Zuma and the Leaders of the Coalition Government was preceded by the Ministerial Committee of the Organ Troika plus Zimbabwe which holds the chairmanship of SADC Council.

The meeting reviewed the political and security situation in Lesotho on which the leaders of the Coalition Government highlighted that the political and security situation had deteriorated which needed immediate intervention and support from SADC.

Chairman of the Organ welcomed the joint commitment of the leaders of the Coalition Government and pledged to render the SADC Troika full support with a view to speedily restore the stability and security in that country.

President Zuma appealed to the people of Lesotho to support the leaders as they work together to re-establish the political stability, security, and law and order.