The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has officially removed Lesotho from its regional security agenda, citing significant progress in constitutional reforms and political stabilisation in the country.
The decision was announced Sunday at the end of the 45th SADC Heads of State and Government Summit in Madagascar’s capital Antananarivo where leaders commended Lesotho for enacting the 10th Amendment to its Constitution – a milestone in the country’s long-running national reform process.
“Summit removed the Kingdom of Lesotho from the agenda of the Organ Troika following the positive progress regarding the political and security situation in Lesotho and applauded the SADC Panel of Elders, Mediation Reference Group, the Government and the people of Lesotho for their commitment to the consolidation of peace and security,” read the official communique.
SADC has played a pivotal role in Lesotho’s stabilisation efforts since 2014 following a series of political and security crises that prompted regional intervention.
The regional bloc has deployed mediation teams, supported constitutional reforms and facilitated dialogue among key stakeholders to restore democratic governance and institutional integrity.
With Lesotho now deemed stable, the country has been removed from the agenda of the SADC Organ Troika on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, which oversees conflict prevention and resolution across the region.
The summit, held under the theme “Advancing Industrialisation, Agricultural Transformation and Energy Transition for a Resilient SADC”, also saw Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina assuming the rotating chairpersonship of the bloc, with South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa elected deputy chairperson.
Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera was elected chair of the Organ Troika, succeeding Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
The summit reaffirmed SADC’s commitment to stabilising eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and welcomed efforts to harmonise African-led peace initiatives.
Other key outcomes included the reappointment of Elias Magosi as SADC Executive Secretary for a final four-year term, the approval of amendments to the Protocol on Finance and Investment, and calls for accelerated regional integration through infrastructure, agriculture and gender equity initiatives.
JN/APA