President Hage Geingob says the just concluded elections in Lesotho add to the ongoing momentum of peace and stability within the Kingdom, in SADC and across Africa at large.
Dr Geingob joined fellow regional leaders, including presidents Cyril Ramaphosa, Hakainde Hichilema, and Mokgweetsi Masisi, to witness the swearing-in of Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital, Maseru.
Thousands descended on the Setsoto Stadium as Prime Minister Matekane took the oath.
He takes over the leadership position from Mokoetsi Majoro, who has headed the Lesotho government since 2020.
The Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security, Dr Geingob, is happy with the election outcome and assured the Basotho of the regional bloc's full commitment and support to its peace efforts.
"We thank all the leaders of the competing parties/candidates for their cooperation and contribution to peace and stability, and for placing the interest of Lesotho above any other interest. In light of the consensus of foreign observer missions who reaffirmed the result as representing the will of the people of Lesotho, I wish to reiterate that the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation will continue to leave no stone unturned in our collective efforts towards the realisation of the ongoing political reforms aimed at consolidating democracy in Lesotho. The success of Lesotho is equally the region's success. Therefore, please be assured that you can count on our unequivocal support. In the same vein, let me thank H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, as Chair of the Organ, for the good work he has done in Lesotho. Thank you, Comrade Cyril."
If implemented, the proposed reforms would see a number of state organs depoliticised, as laid out in the draft eleventh Constitutional Amendment Act, or the Omnibus bill.
"With the completion of the work of the SADC Facilitation Team, I am confident that the government of Lesotho and all stakeholders will give the same support and cooperation to the Oversight Committee that was established by the 42nd SADC Summit to oversee the implementation of the national reforms," said South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is the SADC Facilitator to Lesotho.
The new government under Matekane promises to clamp down on corruption, particularly in the public sector.
He wasted no time in outlining key priority areas, including infrastructure expansion for trade and improving accountability and transparency in government.
Since its formation as a nation-state in 1966, Lesotho has had seven Prime Ministers.
The Kingdom experienced three coups between the 1970s and early 1990s and four attempted coups in recent years.