We must tread carefully on Lesotho but speak out clearly

01 September 2014 - 02:01 By The Times Editorial
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The mountain Kingdom of Lesotho is at it again. Today it is in the grip of tensions between Prime Minister Tom Thabane and his deputy, Mothetjoa Metsing.

On Saturday the army briefly took control of the country and Thabane had to flee to South Africa.

The foreign ministers of the Southern African Development Community met yesterday and it is certain that Lesotho was high on their agenda. They must make it clear to all leaders, in Lesotho and beyond, that the era of coups is dead and buried.

The leaders of this region have a duty to find a lasting solution for Lesotho and their message must be loud and clear.

If the region is to prosper and its citizens enjoy freedom those who want to take us backwards must be isolated.

Although it might be tempting for South Africa to impose its economic dominance on its neighbour, our leadership has chosen the right route in advocating dialogue.

Peace will come only when Lesotho and all its people decide to mature and elect a leadership that puts their country first.

South Africa cannot afford to have such instability on its doorstep.

It was as if we were still dreaming when, on September 22 1998, we awoke to the news that our military had stormed into Lesotho to prop up a "discredited" government. Our government claimed that the then prime minister of Lesotho, Pakalitha Mosisili, had asked the SADC to intervene.

Now a Lesotho prime minister has again requested the intervention of the SADC and of South Africa.

The results back in 1998 were bloody and our country learned some hard lessons. President Jacob Zuma should not allow history to repeat itself.

Regional leaders should spearhead the negotiations on Lesotho and we should not be seen to be propping up any particular leader.

What we do in the coming days should send a signal throughout the region that the time for coups is over - and the same should apply to tolerance of dictatorships.

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