Ramaphosa to help increase stability ahead of Lesotho poll 

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to initiate dialogue among various political stakeholders and civil society organisations in Maseru, Lesotho, in the run-up to the June 3 national election in the Mountain Kingdom.

Engaged in 2015 as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) facilitator to bring peace among warring groups in Lesotho, he will commence the process today.

Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Ronnie Mamoepa, said the deputy president would hold discussions with King Letsie III, Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili, the Independent Electoral Commission, opposition political party leaders, the Christian Council of Lesotho, the College of Chiefs and the nongovernment sector.

Today’s talks were in line with the decision of the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, held in Swaziland in March. Mamoepa said Ramaphosa would work with the SADC oversight committee to conduct a multistakeholder national dialogue before the elections.

“The aim is to build consensus and trust among all stakeholders and chart the way … for the implementation of SADC decisions,” he said.

In 2015, the SADC Organ for Politics, Defence and Security asked Ramaphosa to facilitate stability in Lesotho.

This followed violence among defence force members that resulted in the death of police chief Brigadier Maaparankoe Mahao.

The Swaziland summit urged stakeholders in Lesotho to address the fundamental challenges facing the country and work towards political stability.

Ramaphosa will closely monitor the political and security situation in the country during the June 3 elections.

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