Gaborone - The Southern African Development Community Summit has resolved to assist the Kingdom of Lesotho in implementing reforms in the security sector and constitutional reforms.
The SADC Double Troika was held in Gaborone and attended by SADC Heads of State Chairperson Lieutenant General Ian Khama, Filippe Nyusi, Jacob Zuma, King Mswati III, Robert Mugabe and Kassim Majaliwa, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, Botswana Foreign Affairs Minister Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi, SADC Executive Secretary Dr Stegomena Lawrence-Tax and Judge Mpahpi Phumaphi. Lesotho Prime Minister Phakalitha Mosisili was invited to the Summit and he was urged to lead in implementation of SADC decisions
“The Summit approved a team comprised of experts from Double Troika Members States in preparation for the holding of the Technical Workshop on Security Sector Reforms as well as a roadmap for Constitutional Reforms and implementation thereof,” says a communiqué issued late Tuesday afternoon.
The Summit urged the Kingdom of Lesotho to ensure that the processes is comprehensively inclusive and involves all stakeholders in the Kingdom.
“Summit approved the Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the Oversight Committee, as an early warning mechanism that will also provide assistance in the implementation of the Constitutional, Security and Public Sector Reforms. The summit directed the Secretariat to immediately operationalize the Oversight Committee, which will be headed by the Republic of Mozambique in her capacity as the Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation”.
The Summit called upon the Opposition leaders in exile to return by the end of August 2016 in order to facilitate participation in ongoing reforms. In view of the foregoing, the Summit directed the Double Troika, supported by the Facilitator, to assist in their return and report progress to the next Summit.
The Summit reiterated that the Government of Lesotho, with the assistance of the SADC Double Troika members must develop and present a comprehensive roadmap with clear timeframes on the implementation of all SADC decisions, in particular Security and Constitutional reforms and submit report with tangible progress to the next Summit in August 2016. King Mswati III is expected to take over the chairmanship during the August Summit.
Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports indicate that Mosisili was escorted out of the Summit due to the heavy presence of Lesotho opposition activists at the venue of the Summit.
Foreign Bureau