On July 3, 2015, the Sadc Double Troika – which comprises Zimbabwe, South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Malawi – met in Pretoria, South Africa to explore sustainable solutions to the political and security situation in Lesotho, which boiled over with the killing of former defence forces commander Brigadier Maaparankoe Mahao.

African Union and Sadc Chair President Mugabe steered the Summit, which stretched over seven hours, ending late into Friday night.

As Chair of this Summit, the President helped secure major and agreeable outcomes aimed at restoring security and political stability in the Mountain Kingdom.

We publish the Sadc Double Troika’s resolutions.

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1. The Extraordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) Double Troika was held in Pretoria, Republic of South Africa on 3rd July of 2015.

2. Summit was attended by the following Heads of State and Government or their representatives:

Zimbabwe: H.E. Robert Gabriel Mugabe

South Africa: H.E. Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma

Botswana: H.E. Lt. Gen Ian Khama Seretse Khama

Lesotho: The Right Honourable Pakalitha Mosisili

Namibia: Honourable Penda Ya Ndakolo, Minister of Defence

Malawi: Lt. Col.Lawrence O.M. Mambo, psc, Defence Advisor at the Malawian High Commission to South Africa

3. Summit was also attended by the Sadc Facilitator to the Kingdom of Lesotho, Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, H.E Cyril Ramaphosa and the Executive Secretary of Sadc, H.E. Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax.

4. Summit received the report of the Sadc Facilitator to the Kingdom of Lesotho, and expressed concern regarding the deterioration of the political and security situation in the Kingdom of Lesotho, which forced the main opposition leaders to flee the county, fearing for their security, and exacerbated by tragic death of Brigadier Maaparankoe Mahao, the former Lesotho Defence Forces (LDF) Commander on the 25th of June 2015.

5. Summit endorsed the Report and recommendations of the Sadc Facilitator H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa and urged the Government and all political stakeholders in the country to implement the recommendations.

6. Summit commended H.E. Jacob Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa for his exemplary work towards restoring political stability, peace and security in Lesotho, and H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa for his excellent facilitation in the Kingdom of Lesotho.

7. Summit approved the establishment of an Oversight Committee to act as an early warning mechanism in the event of signs of instability, and intervene as appropriate in consultation with the Sadc facilitator.

8. Summit urged the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho and all political stakeholders to urgently undertake constitutional and security sector reforms, assisted by Sadc.

9. Summit conveyed a message of condolence and sympathy to the Mahao family, King Letsie III and to the Government and people of the Kingdom of Lesotho.

10. Summit decided, as a matter of urgency, to establish an independent Commission of Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Brigadier Mahao, and its deployment with immediate effect.

11. Summit decided to send an independent pathologist to conduct an examination, as requested by the Prime Minister of Lesotho, within a period of 72 hours.

12. Summit requested full collaboration and co-operation of Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho in facilitating the work of the Commission of Inquiry.

13. Summit urged the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho to create a conducive environment for the return of the opposition leaders to the country.

14. Summit urged the Double Troika to remain seized with the developments in the Kingdom of Lesotho.

15. Summit commended the Government and people of the Republic of South Africa for hosting the Double Troika Summit.

 

Done in Pretoria, Republic of South Africa, 03 July 2015

Lesotho political crises

Lesotho is no stranger to political crises since its 1966 independence from Britain.

After election in 1970, the Basotho National Party refused to cede power when it appeared to have lost the polls.

A state of emergency was declared, the constitution suspended and parliament dissolved.

In 1986, the military-supported by apartheid South Africa – seized control, and a military council ruled Lesotho with King Moshoeshoe II.

Four years later, King Moshoeshoe II was exiled, with a new military authority establishing a National Constituent Assembly to draft a constitution and spell out a roadmap for return to civilian rule by 1992.

However, junior army officers mutinied in 1991 and installed Phisoane Ramaema as military council chair.

King Moshoeshoe II refused to return to the country and his son was enthroned King Letsie III.

Moshoeshoe II returned to Lesotho in 1992 as an ordinary citizen, but became king again in 1995 when Letsie III abdicated the throne in favour of his father.

King Moshoeshoe died in a car accident in 1996 and his son once again ascended to the throne.

The 1993 constitution stripped the king of executive authority and barred him from engaging in politics.

In 1994, police and prisons services mutinied, and King Letsie III – backed by the army – staged a coup that suspended parliament and appointed a ruling council.

The elected government returned within a month following domestic and international pressure.

The army had to quell a violent police mutiny in 1997, and in 1998 an electoral dispute led to a power vacuum and violence. Eight South African soldiers died in the turmoil, prompting Sadc to move in to restore order.

The Sadc taskforce withdrew after stability returned in 1999 and left a small unit, which included Zimbabwean troops, to train the Lesotho Defence Forces.