Statement by SADC Facilitator, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, Maseru

SADC CONGRATULATES BASOTHO ON PEACEFUL ELECTIONS

· SADC congratulates the people of Lesotho for their turnout during the SADC-facilitated brought forward elections

· The outcome of the elections is a true reflection of the will of the people of Lesotho

· The people have spoken and categorically voted for peace and stability

· It is now incumbent upon the leadership of political parties to ensure the realisation of the aspirations the people of Lesotho

· We applaud all political parties who participated in the electoral process

· We congratulate all those political parties who have won seats in the assembly including the newly formed coalition government

· We extend our gratitude to Lesotho’s IEC for the excellent organisational and logistical arrangements made for the brought forward elections.

SADC CONGRATULATES LESOTHO’S SECURITY FORCES FOR THE PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT DURING ELECTIONS

· SADC is satisfied that Lesotho’s security forces honoured their commitment to observe the country’s laws and Constitution during the election period

· Their conduct was largely in keeping with the provisions of the Maseru Security Accord

· We express our gratitude to the Lesotho Defence Force for their logistical assistance to the IEC in the distribution of ballot papers, particularly to areas that are not easily accessible

· Our thanks also go to the Lesotho Defence Force for honouring their commitment to remain barracks during the elections period

· We thank members of the Lesotho Mounted Police Services for providing the necessary security at storage facilities and voting stations during elections

FACILITATION MISSION EXTENDS ITS GRATITUDE TO ELECTIONS OBSERVER MISSIONS

· The Facilitation Mission expresses its appreciation to all Election Observer Missions- from SADC, the African Union, Commonwealth and EISA for the work done before and during the elections.

· We also take this opportunity to express our appreciation for the work done by the SADC Electoral Advisory Council which expressed its satisfaction with the readiness of Lesotho to go to elections.

· Our gratitude also goes to security force members from SADC member states who were deployed to Lesotho to augment Lesotho’s Mounted Police Services in ensuring elections are held under peaceful conditions.

· Together with their Lesotho counterparts, these SADC security forces assisted greatly in ensuring a peaceful elections

· Finally we thank the Head of Mission and members of the SADC Facilitation Mission who have worked tirelessly since the events of 30 August 2014 to ensure peace and stability in the Kingdom.

SADC WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT LESOTHO POST THE ELECTIONS

· The SADC  Troika of Heads of State and Government  has committed itself to remain seized with the situation in Lesotho  on the agenda of the body

· SADC will continue to provide support beyond the elections to create peace and stability through the Facilitation Mission

· This will include supporting Lesotho as it embarks upon the immediate task of constitutional reforms

· The work of SADC will also extend to the critical area of security sector reforms.

I thank you

Issued on behalf of the SADC Facilitation Mission 

Maseru