Pretoria – Cabinet has come out in support of the SADC Summit’s resolutions which mandated Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa to act as a facilitator in Lesotho.
Deputy President Ramaphosa has departed to Lesotho to mediate in the political crisis, after the leaders agreed to bring the country’s election date forward from 2017, in an attempt to solve the impasse. The new election date is expected to be announced as soon as possible.
This visit follows a special double troika summit by leaders of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on Monday which appointed Deputy President Ramaphosa as facilitator.
Acting Cabinet spokesperson Phumla Williams said in a statement, the Deputy President, Secretariat and experts have clear Terms of Reference to facilitate the restoration of political and security stability in the Kingdom of Lesotho, in the short and long term.
She said Cabinet appreciated the initiative by President Zuma, together with SADC, to restore peace in Lesotho. Cabinet held its regular meeting on Wednesday.
“During the visit, Deputy President Ramaphosa, is expected to interact with members of the Coalition Government and other political role-players in the country as part of efforts to help the people of Lesotho to find a solution to their current political and security challenges,” Deputy President's spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said.
The SADC Troika has urged all role-players in the Kingdom of Lesotho to, ''resolve their political challenges in accordance with the constitution, laws of the land and in line with democratic principles”. - SAnews.gov.za
