Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa concludes visit to the Kingdom of Lesotho

Maseru - SADC Facilitator and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has today, Friday 6 March 2015 concluded his official visit to the Kingdom of Lesotho where he paid a working visit to consolidate peace and stability efforts in the country on behalf of the regional body.

The visit came against the background of the recently concluded SADC Facilitated brought forward elections held on Saturday 28 February 2015 and declared credible, free and fair by the SADC, African Union, Commonwealth and EISA elections observer missions.

As part of his visit, the Facilitator, Deputy President Ramaphosa paid a courtesy call on His Majesty King Letsie III, met with key political role-players including leaders of the LCD, DC, ABC and BNP, Prof. Phakalitha Mosisili, Mothejoa Metsing, Tom Thabane and Theselle Maseribane respectively. All leaders of political parties expressed their gratitude to Deputy President Ramaphosa for the sterling role he played culminating in the holding of peaceful election.

The Facilitator also met and exchanged views with members of the Lesotho’s Independent Election Commission led by its Chairperson Justice Lehohla, leaders of the College of Chiefs, Christian Council of Lesotho, the Coalition of NGO’s as well as senior officers of the Lesotho Defence Force and Lesotho Mounted Police Service.

The Facilitator expressed satisfaction with the logistical arrangements made by the IEC for the holding of elections. Deputy President Ramaphosa applauded all political parties that had participated in the elections. In addition Deputy President Ramaphosa congratulated members of the Lesotho security forces who together with their SADC counterparts ensured the elections were held under peaceful conditions.

The Facilitator, Deputy President Ramaphosa also extended his gratitude to all members of the SADC Facilitation Mission to Lesotho who had toiled through days and nights to help create a climate of peace and stability in Lesotho. Deputy President Ramaphosa promised Basotho that SADC will continue to support the people of Lesotho particularly as they embark upon the critical process of constitutional and security sector reforms in line with the decision of the SADC Troika of Heads of State and Government meeting held in Pretoria recently.

For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853.

Issued on behalf of the SADC Facilitation Mission