Lesotho Leaders Demand Sadc Support

The leaders of Lesotho's coalition government on Monday called for immediate intervention in and support for their country by the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC).



During a meeting with South African President Jacob Zuma, the leaders of the coalition government said Lesotho's political and security situation was deteriorating.



"The meeting reiterated the commitment contained in the Windhoek Declaration in which the leaders of the coalition government committed to working together to restore political normalcy, stability, law and order, peace and security in the Kingdom," a joint statement by the SADC Troika and the leaders of Lesotho's coalition government said.



Adopted in Windhoek, Namibia, in 2006, the declaration aims to positively contribute to the SADC Common Agenda, and the attainment of the SADC Mission of promoting sustainable and equitable economic growth, and to achieve deeper regional cooperation and integration.



The joint statement noted that the leaders of the coalition government agreed to expeditiously implement the declaration, by removing the parliament prorogation, in particular.



"In this regard, they agreed on the roadmap with clear timelines on how to remove the parliament prorogation, which shall be submitted to the King," the statement said.



Lesotho's Prime Minister Thomas Thabane fled to South Africa with his family on Saturday, accusing his country's army of staging a military coup against his government.



On Saturday, the Lesotho military raided police stations, disarming police officers, and putting radio stations off air.



Lesotho has been the scene of political tension since Thabane promulgated his country's national assembly in a bid to circumvent a no-confidence vote.



The leaders of Lesotho's coalition government also agreed to issue a joint statement, appealing for calm and restrain with a view to rapidly bringing law and order back in the kingdom.



The South African President is also chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defense and Security.



"The chairperson 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 stability and security in the country," the statement said.



It added that SADC agreed to send a facilitator to the Kingdom of Lesotho to work with the coalition government as it implements the agreed roadmap.



SADC also agreed to deploy an observer team on politics, defense and security as a matter of urgency.



By Hassan Isilow



englishnews@aa.com.tr



www.aa.com.tr/en - Gauteng