Pretoria – Leaders of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries will later today hold an extraordinary meeting in Pretoria to discuss Lesotho's political situation.
President Jacob Zuma, as the Chairperson of the SADC organ on politics, defence and security cooperation, has called the emergency SADC Double Troika summit.
The meeting will be chaired by Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe, who is current Chairman of the 14-member SADC regional economic bloc.
Among those who will attend include Lesotho's Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili.
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is the SADC Facilitator on Lesotho, was earlier this week sent to Maseru to consult with Prime Minister Mosisili following fears of political instability in the country.
During the visit the Deputy President stressed the need for all stakeholders in Lesotho to resolve their political differences through legal and peaceful processes, and expedite the process of establishing institutional and security reforms, as recommended by the SADC Double Troika Summit held in Pretoria on 20 February 2015.
The recent assassination of former Lesotho Defence Force Commander Brigadier Maaparankoe Mahao has sparked fears that Lesotho could plunge into political unrest.
Political leaders including the main opposition and former Prime Minister Tom Thabane have fled the country fearing for their lives.
Lesotho has been battling to restore stability since an attempted coup last year.
Deputy President Ramaphosa brokered the Maseru Security Accord peace deal which led to an early election in February.
The elections, which were declared transparent, credible, free and fair by the regional body, saw the formation of a coalition government of seven parties and a new government ushered in. - SAnews.gov.za
