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1. Following the recent political and security developments in the Kingdom of Lesotho, His Excellency Jacob G. Zuma, the President of the Republic of South Africa andChairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation met the delegation of the Coalition Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho consisting of the Prime Minister, the Right Hon. Thomas Motswahae Thabane, the Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Mothetjoa Metsing  and Hon.Morena T J Maseribane, Minister of Gender and Youth, Sports and Recreation on 1 September 2014 in Pretoria, South Africa. The SADC Executive Secretary, Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax also attended the meeting.

2. The Meeting between the Chairperson of the Organ and the Leaders of the Coalition Government was preceded by the MCO Troika plus the Republic of Zimbabwe, the Chair of SADC Council.

3. The Meeting reviewed the political and security situation in the Kingdom of Lesotho on which the leaders of the Coalition Government highlighted that the political and security situation had deteriorated which needed immediate intervention and support from SADC.

4. The meeting reiterated the commitment contained in the Windhoek Declaration in which the Leaders of the Coalition Government committed to working together to restore political normalcy, stability, law and order, peace and security in the Kingdom. In this regard, the leaders of the Coalition Government agreed to expeditiously implement the declaration, by removing the Parliament prorogation, in particular. In this regard, they agreed on the Roadmap with clear timelines on how to remove the Parliament prorogation, which shall be submitted to the King. The Leaders further agreed to issue a joint statement appealing for calm and  exercise restrain with a view to rapidly bring law and order back in the Kingdom;

5. The Chairperson of the Organ welcomed the joint commitment of the leaders of the Coalition Government and pledged to render the SADC Troika full support  with a view to speedily restore the stability and security in the country.  In addition, SADC agreed to send a SADC Facilitator to the Kingdom of Lesotho to work with the Coalition Government as they implement the agreed roadmap. SADC furtheragreed to deploy an Observer Team on Politics, Defence and Security as a matter of urgency.

6. The Chairperson appealed to the people of the Kingdom of Lesotho to support theleaders as they work together to re-establish the political stability, security, and law and order.

7. The Chairperson of the Organ reiterated SADC’s commitment to remain seized with the political and security development in the Kingdom.

DONE AT PRETORIA, REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA ON THE 1 SEPTEMBER 2014

Issued by The Presidency