Lesotho urged to continue reforms after appointment to SADC security organ
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Lesotho Times
The Lesotho Times editorial describes Lesotho’s appointment as chair of SADC’s political, defence and security cooperation organ as a regional responsibility. It calls for continued reforms and stronger peace and accountability in the country.
Lesotho has been urged to continue its political and security reforms after being elected incoming chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation. In an editorial, the Lesotho Times described the appointment as a sign of regional confidence, but said it required the country to consolidate the progress made.
Prime Minister Sam Matekane was chosen at an extraordinary summit of SADC heads of state and government. The newspaper noted that Lesotho had been removed from the Organ’s agenda in August 2025, after being included since 2014 because of its political instability and military interference.
The editorial recalls, in particular, the 2015 assassination of former army commander Maaparankoe Mahao and the killing of his successor Khoantle Motšomotšo by soldiers in 2017. These crises led to the deployment of the SADC Preventive Mission in Lesotho. The newspaper said the new regional responsibility did not mean the country’s institutional difficulties had been resolved.
The Lesotho Times considers the constitutional and institutional reforms recommended by SADC to be too slow. It cites the adoption of the tenth amendment to the Constitution in 2025 among the steps taken, while calling for continued reform efforts and accountability.
The editorial follows Lesotho’s election to lead the SADC security organ, announced on 22 October 2026.
