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Nov. 22, 2018

2 min read

Foreign forces bid Lesotho farewell

Foreign forces bid Lesotho farewell

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MASERU – Prime Minister Thomas Thabane has praised the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Preventive Mission in Lesotho (SAPMIL), for restoring security and peace in Lesotho prior to the national reforms.

A 269-strong mission composed of officers, many of whom were soldiers from different countries as well as police and civilians were awarded medals and certificates at the farewell closing ceremony. Dr Thabane said this in Maseru on November 20 at the closing ceremony and medal parade for the foreign forces. “SAPMIL has contributed to transparent reforms, they are unshakable and all stakeholders are committed to partake in the national transformation,” he stressed.
 

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He said Lesotho could now comfortably start the inclusive process of reforms of security sector, parliamentary, judiciary and public service amongst others. He expressed appreciation to the SADC for having deployed the mission in the country saying it signifies how SADC support edits member states. Speaking on behalf of the chair of SADC and minister for defence in Zambia, Davies Chama urged political leaders exile to voluntarily return home by November 25 so that can take part in the reforms on November 26, saying the spirit of ‘Ubuntu’ has been promoted and enhanced.

Dr Stergomena Lawrence-Tax, SADC executive secretary shared similar sentiments that “SADC is obliged to ensure that the region is at peace hence the deployment of the peace-keeping mission in Lesotho since November 2017. The deployment was meant for six months but was extended so as to maintain and consolidate the momentum attained.”

Dr Lawrence-Tax said the forces, while in Lesotho, have been able to capacitate a total of 400 members of the Lesotho services such as police, army and correctional. “I hope Lesotho will get out of SADC agenda, if they wisely handle issues despite other complexities,” she said. The mission was deployed in Lesotho after the assassination army commander, Lt General Khoantle Mots'omots'o by his junior officers, prompting the 38th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Namibia, to sanction military deployment.

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