Maseru - SADC Facilitator and South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa today Friday 19 August 2016 paid a working visit to the Kingdom of Lesotho in pursuit of his SADC mandate to assist the country to consolidate peace and security.

The visit comes against the background of preparations for the forthcoming SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government scheduled for Mbabane, Swaziland from 29-31 August 2016 which is expected to review the political security situation in the region.

The SADC Double Troika Summit held in June 2016 in Gaborone, Botswana, mandated Deputy President Ramaphosa among others to facilitate the return of opposition political party leaders back to Lesotho from South Africa.  

During Friday’s working visit the Facilitator, Deputy President Ramaphosa paid a courtesy call on His Majesty King Letsie III and held discussions with Prime Minister Phakalitha Mosisili and his Coalition Leaders. The Prime Minister and his coalition partners briefed Deputy President Ramaphosa among others about efforts to institute constitutional and security sector reforms.

The Facilitator also met representatives of the opposition political parties, Christian Council of Lesotho, College of Chiefs and the family of the late Brigadier Maaparankoe Mahao

Deputy President Ramaphosa will table his report on consultations with various Lesotho’s stakeholders to the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government in Swaziland at the end of the month of August.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria