COMMUNIQUE
EXTRAORDINARY SUMMIT OF THE DOUBLE TROIKA
3 JULY 2015
PRETORIA, REPUBIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
- The Extraordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Double Troika was held in Pretoria, Republic of South Africa on 3rd July of 2015.
- Summit was attended by the following Heads of State and Government or their representatives:
Zimbabwe H.E. Robert Gabriel Mugabe
South Africa H.E. Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma
Botswana H.E. Lt. Gen Ian Khama Seretse Khama
Lesotho The Right Honourable Pakalitha Mosisili
Namibia Honourable Penda Ya Ndakolo, Minister of Defence
Malawi Lt. Col.Lawrence O.M. Mambo, psc, Defence Advisor at the Malawian High Commission to South Africa
- Summit was also attended by the SADC Facilitator to the Kingdom of Lesotho, Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, H.E Cyril Ramaphosa and the Executive Secretary of SADC, H.E. Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax.
- Summit received the report of the SADC Facilitator to the Kingdom of Lesotho, and expressed concern regarding the deterioration of the political and security situation in the Kingdom of Lesotho, which forced the main opposition leaders to flee the county fearing for their security, and exacerbated by tragic death of Brigadier Maaparankoe Mahao, the former Lesotho Defense Force (LDF) Commander on the 25th June 2015.
- Summit endorsed the Report and recommendations of the SADC Facilitator H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa and urged the Government and all political stakeholders in the country to implement the recommendations.
- Summit commended H.E. Jacob Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa for his exemplary work towards restoring political stability, peace and security in Lesotho, and H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa for his excellent facilitation in the Kingdom of Lesotho.
- Summit approved the establishment of an Oversight Committee to act as an early warning mechanism in the event of signs of instability, and intervene as appropriate in consultation with the SADC facilitator.
- Summit urged the government of the Kingdom of Lesotho and all political stakeholders to urgently undertake constitutional and security sector reforms, assisted by SADC.
- Summit conveyed a message of condolences and sympathy to the Mahao family, King Letsie III and to the Government and people of the Kingdom of Lesotho.
- Summit decided, as a matter of urgency, to establish an independent Commission of Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Brigadier Mahao, and its deployment with immediate effect.
- Summit decided to send an independent pathologist to conduct an examination, as requested by the Prime Minister of Lesotho within a period of 72 hours.
- Summit requested full collaboration and cooperation of government of the Kingdom of Lesotho in facilitating the work of the Commission of Enquiry.
- Summit urged the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho to create a conducive environment for the return of the Opposition Leaders to the country.
- Summit urged the Double Troika to remain seized with the developments in the Kingdom of Lesotho.
- Summit commended the Government and people of the Republic of South Africa for hosting the Double Troika Summit.
Done in
Pretoria, Republic of South Africa
03 July 2015
Source: www.sadc.int