SADC facilitator on urgent mission to Lesotho

South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his capacity as Southern African Development Community (SADC) Facilitator on Lesotho, started an urgent mission to the kingdom to help defuse security tension there.

During his one-day visit, Ramaphosa will hold urgent consultations with Lesotho's Prime Minister Phakalitha Mosisili on the recent developments in the kingdom, said Ronnie Mamoepa, spokesperson of Ramaphosa.

Ramaphosa was dispatched by President Jacob Zuma, also Chairperson of the SADC Organ Troika on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.

Earlier Zuma voiced deep concern over the deteriorating situation in Lesotho, particularly the flight of three opposition leaders and the killing of Brigadier Maaparankoe Mahao, former Commander of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF).

Ramaphosa is expected to stress 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.