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Cyril Ramaphosa

CAPE TOWN. – The Southern African Development Community  on Sunday stressed the critical need to address all political and security challenges in Lesotho.These challenges include preparations for holding early elections, the reopening of parliament, stabilisation of the security situation and the return to constitutional normalcy, said SADC facilitator Cyril Ramaphosa, who is also South African deputy president.

Ramaphosa was speaking prior to his second visit to Maseru, capital of Lesotho on September 22-23 to pursue a regional mandate to help restore peace, stability and democracy in the country.

After his appointment by the SADC Double Troika of Heads of State and Government plus Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania, Ramaphosa paid his first visit to Lesotho on Thursday to mediate a political solution to the crisis in Lesotho, an impoverished enclave surrounded by South Africa.

During the visit, Ramaphosa paid a courtesy call on His Majesty King Letsie III, held meetings with leaders of the Coalition Government led by Prime Minister Thomas Thabane, main and small opposition political parties as well as the College of Chiefs.

On his second mediation mission to Lesotho, Ramaphosa will continue to meet with all political and other role players in Lesotho to help create a climate conducive for the people of the kingdom to resolve their political challenges in accordance with the constitution, laws of the land and in line with democratic principles, the SADC Troika said in a statement.

Lesotho has been plunged into a political crisis since August 30 when an abortive coup sent Thabane fleeing to South Africa.

The coup was prompted in part by the suspension of parliament in June. Thabane suspended parliament in June to avoid a vote of no confidence that was being pushed by his coalition government partners.

Thabane returned home early this month thanks to the SADC intervention.

At its summit last Monday, the SADC Troika gave an ultimatum to Thabane to reopen the suspended parliament with immediate effect to pave way for early elections in a bid to end political tension in that country. – Xinhua.