Brussels, 03/09/2014 (Agence Europe) - The EU is concerned by the military coup carried out on 30 August in Lesotho. On Tuesday evening 2 September, it called for the restoration of security and stability in this small southern African enclave within South Africa. On Wednesday 3 September, the situation appeared less confusing, with the return to the country of prime minister Thomas Thabane, who had had to seek refuge in South Africa.
In a statement on Tuesday, the spokesperson for the European External Action Service said that “the EU has been following the political and security situation in Lesotho with concern. We welcome the efforts of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation under the chairmanship of President Jacob Zuma to reach a peaceful and political resolution to the crisis. We call upon all parties to respect their commitment to work together to restore security and political stability in the Kingdom. In that respect, we welcome in particular the road map with a clear timeline to reopen the Parliament on the 19th of September”
The EU has expressed its continued readiness to cooperate with SADC and with the Government of Lesotho to support the implementation of this agreement and declared that “upholding Lesotho's multiparty democracy is essential for the country's development as well as that of the wider region”.
The military coup on 30 August was denied by the Lethoso army but has been confirmed by South Africa. (AN)